Capturing Zodiacal Light Over the Himalayas
A stunning photograph captures the rare appearance of zodiacal light—often called the "false dawn"—at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh, India. The image was recorded at an altitude of approximately 4,500 meters, a prime location for stargazing due to its remote, dark skies. Observed Celestial Features Zodiacal Light: A faint, luminous band of light caused by sunlight backscattering off interplanetary dust particles. Prominent Planets and Objects: Jupiter: Clearly visible near the eastern horizon, appearing embedded in the zodiacal glow. Mars: Located near the center of the frame, distinct for its yellowish hue. M44 (Beehive Cluster): Visible further along the zodiacal band toward the zenith. Scientific Context Recent findings from NASA's Juno spacecraft suggest that Mars is the primary source of the interplanetary dust responsible for the zodiacal light observed from Earth. The site itself, the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, serves as a high-altitude sanctuary for astrophotography enthusiasts and researchers.
NASA ·