An unusual triangle of light will be particularly bright near the eastern horizon before sunrise during the next two months for observers in Earth's northern hemisphere. Once considered a false dawn [ http://en.wikipedia…], this triangle of light is actually Zodiacal Light [ http://home.wanadoo…], light reflected from interplanetary dust particles [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. The triangle is clearly visible toward the left of the frame taken from the Paranal Observatory [ http://en.wikipedia…] in Chile [ http://en.wikipedia…] in July. Zodiacal dust [ http://coolcosmos.i…cosmic_reference/zod ydust.html ] orbits the Sun [ http://www.nineplan…] predominantly in the same plane as the planets: the ecliptic [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. Zodiacal light [ http://www.as.wvu.e…] is so bright this time of year because the dust band [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] is oriented nearly vertical at sunrise, so that the thick air near the horizon does not block out relatively bright reflecting dust [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. Zodiacal light [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] is also bright for people in Earth's northern hemisphere in March and April just after sunset.
APOD editor to review best space pictures in Philadelphia tomorrow (Wednesday) night [ http://www.rittenho…]
Explanation
An unusual triangle of light will be particularly bright near the eastern horizon before sunrise during the next two months for observers in Earth's northern hemisphere. Once considered a false dawn [ http://en.wikipedia…], this triangle of light is actually Zodiacal Light [ http://home.wanadoo…], light reflected from interplanetary dust particles [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. The triangle is clearly visible toward the left of the frame taken from the Paranal Observatory [ http://en.wikipedia…] in Chile [ http://en.wikipedia…] in July. Zodiacal dust [ http://coolcosmos.i…cosmic_reference/zod ydust.html ] orbits the Sun [ http://www.nineplan…] predominantly in the same plane as the planets: the ecliptic [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. Zodiacal light [ http://www.as.wvu.e…] is so bright this time of year because the dust band [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] is oriented nearly vertical at sunrise, so that the thick air near the horizon does not block out relatively bright reflecting dust [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. Zodiacal light [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] is also bright for people in Earth's northern hemisphere in March and April just after sunset.
APOD editor to review best space pictures in Philadelphia tomorrow (Wednesday) night [ http://www.rittenho…]
