Zodiac Light

Context

A study conducted at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad examined the origin of interplanetary dust responsible for zodiacal light, focusing on Mars’ moons, Deimos and Phobos.

Zodiac Light

The zodiacal light is a faint, cone-shaped glow in the night sky that is caused by sunlight reflecting off dust particles in the solar system. It is most visible just before dawn or after dusk, when the sky is dark and the zodiacal light is not obscured by other sources of light, such as the moon or artificial lights.

Features

• The zodiacal light is named for the zodiac, a band of constellations that appears to follow the path of the sun across the sky.
• This is because the dust particles that cause the zodiacal light are concentrated in the plane of the solar system, which is also the plane in which the planets orbit the sun.
• The zodiacal light is a beautiful and mysterious sight, and it has been observed by humans for centuries.
• In fact, there are many ancient myths and legends that explain the zodiacal light. For example, in some cultures, the zodiacal light is said to be the path of the gods, or the bridge between heaven and earth.

While the zodiacal light is not as bright as other celestial objects, it is still a fascinating phenomenon that can teach us more about the solar system and the dust particles that fill it.