March 9, 2023
For the next two weeks, northern hemisphere viewers have a chance to see the zodiacal light in the west after evening twilight. The zodiacal light is a wedge-shaped diffuse light that points up from the horizon. This light display is caused by sunlight reflecting off dust in the solar system. Recent studies suggest this dust may be from Mars.
This image of the zodiacal lights were taken at the ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile in September 2009, facing west just after sunset. Image credit: ESO/Y. Beletsky