A recent photograph taken at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh, India, showcases the ethereal glow of zodiacal light. Captured at an altitude of approximately 4,500 meters, the image depicts the faint, luminous band—often referred to as a "false dawn"—shortly before the onset of astronomical twilight.
The scene features several prominent celestial objects, including the planet Jupiter, which appears within the zodiacal glow near the eastern horizon. Further along the band toward the zenith, observers can identify the open star cluster M44 and the planet Mars, distinguished by its yellowish hue. The long-exposure shot also captured the streaks of passing meteors.
The presence of zodiacal light is attributed to sunlight back-scattered by interplanetary dust. Recent findings from NASA’s Juno spacecraft suggest that Mars may be the primary source of this dust, which populates the inner solar system and creates the visible glow observed from Earth. The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, known for its remote location, remains a significant destination for astrophotography and stargazing.
Source: NASA
暂无评论。快来发表第一条评论吧。