zodiacal light

noun

Definition of zodiacal light

: a diffuse glow seen in the west after twilight and in the east before dawn

Recent Examples of zodiacal light from the Web

The zodiacal lights are actually created as sunlight reflects off countless interplanetary particles scattered along the plane of the solar system.

— National Geographic, "This Week’s Night Sky: See Mercury Take Flight," 4 Apr. 2016
For a second and last week, observers in the Northern Hemisphere can catch the elusive glow of the zodiacal lights.

— National Geographic, "Now’s Your Best Chance to See the Milky Way," 6 Sep. 2016
For about two weeks, observers in the Northern Hemisphere will have their best chance to see an ethereal display called the zodiacal lights thanks to a nearly moonless sky in the predawn hours.

— National Geographic, "Uranus at Its Best, and More Can't-Miss Sky Events in October," 1 Oct. 2017
Around our own Sun, this dust causes the zodiacal light that can be seen on very dark nights near the horizon.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "Dimming of Tabby’s Star likely caused by something less sexy than aliens," 4 Oct. 2017
Starting on this day and lasting for the next two weeks, observers in the Northern Hemisphere will have their best chance to see an ethereal display called the zodiacal lights, thanks to a near-moonless sky in the predawn hours.

— National Geographic, "Planets Align, and 9 More Can't-Miss Sky Events in September," 1 Sep. 2017

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