[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

(meteorobs) Re: zodiacal light on Jan 03, 2001

Richard,

I have never seen a source of information on where to locate the
zodiacal light on any particular night. Actually it should be easy to
figure out as it will always lie along the zodiac (hence the name) to
the east of the sun in the evening and to the west of the sun in the
morning. If you are up on your zodiacal constellations it should not be
a problem. Since the sun is currently located in Sagittarius evening
viewers would see the zodiacal light in the constellations of
Capricornus and Aquarius and perhaps extending into Pisces. Morning
observers would see it in Scorpius and Libra and perhaps extending into
Virgo. 

If you have really dark skies you might try for the zodiacal band, which
can be seen at any time of night. This faint band stretches the entire
length of the zodiac and is noticed as a brightening of the background
sky compared to the background sky of nearby non zodiacal
constellations. It is interesting when the zodiacal band and the Milky
Way cross each other and create a large "X" in the sky. The zodiacal
band rivals the winter Milky Way but is considerably fainter than the
summer Milky Way as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. 

Clear Skies!

Bob Lunsford


Richard Taibi wrote:
> 
> Hi Everyone,
>    I observed this am, looking for Quads (see elsewhere here).  Without
> expecting to, I saw what I think was zodiacal light at about 10 mins after
> astronomical twilight began this morning.  I didn't expect to see it.  I
> thought it was supposed to be a spring and fall phenomenon.  I observed from
> 38degrees 25 mins North, if that makes a difference, which I suppose it
> does.  The z.d. appeared in southern Ophiuchus and in the "head" or claws of
> Scorpius (the three bright stars NW of Antares).  Is there a reference
> source which would help predict where and when Z.D. will be found?  This was
> a marvelous morning because the z.d. was preceded by an Iridium satellite
> flare (-6), and followed by a -7+/-1 mag Quad FB.  It was the sort of
> aesthetic experience which helps you ignore sub-freezing temps!
>    Rich Taibi
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'meteorobs' email list, use the Web form at:
http://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs/subscribe.html
Follow-Ups: References: