zodiacal light

noun

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

Examples of zodiacal light in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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According to EarthSky, the zodiacal light is sunlight reflecting off a vast cloud of interplanetary dust that lines the same path as the zodiac constellations. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026 Throughout the eclipse, the astronauts will search for a second type of dust as well, this time in the form of zodiacal light, which is caused by sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 6 Apr. 2026 There are two auroras (top right and bottom left) and zodiacal light (bottom right) is visible as the Earth eclipses the sun. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026 As the sun set behind Earth, auroras were visible to the top right and bottom left of the planet, and bright zodiacal light can be seen in a band at the bottom right. Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zodiacal light

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zodiacal light was in 1734

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Cite this Entry

“Zodiacal light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zodiacal%20light. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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