gegenschein

noun, often capitalized

ge·gen·schein | \ ˈgā-gən-ˌshīn

How to pronounce gegenschein (audio)

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Definition of gegenschein

: a faint light about 20° across on the celestial sphere opposite the sun probably caused by backscatter of sunlight by solar-system dust

Examples of gegenschein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The summer night sky can be so dark and clear that zodiacal light (sunlight scattered by dust in space) and gegenschein (a faint brightening of zodiacal light at midnight) can be visible. — Michelle Krupa, CNN, "Start your Monday smart: Coronavirus, Ramadan, Orthodox Easter, Earth Day, NFL draft," 19 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gegenschein.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Gegenschein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gegenschein. Accessed 21 Jan. 2021.

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