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This is a composite image showing Odin as it would appear in orbit, if
we could get close enough to take the picture! Odin is at an altitude
of 600km above the Earth, in an orbit called "polar, Sun-synchronous".
That means that Odin follows approximately the terminator line between
night and day on the Earth, with its solar panels constantly directed
towards the Sun.
Odin can be rotated and tilted so that it points in various directions. Half
the time, it will be looking down at the Earth measuring ozone and
carbon monoxide, among other things. The other half of the time, Odin will be
looking up into space at many interesting astronomical objects, for example
at locations where stars are being born, such as the Orion nebula.
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