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

Early fall provides a good opportunity for northern hemisphere observers to look for zodiacal light before dawn, when the angle of the ecliptic helps the glow stand more prominently above the eastern horizon. — Jules-Pierre Malartre, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Unlike dawn, the zodiacal light appears as a distinct cone or wedge of light extending upward from the horizon along the ecliptic, which is the path the sun, moon, and planets follow across the sky. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Sep. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zodiacal light

• actinolite
• adipocyte
• amphibolite
• anorthosite
• anthophyllite
• aragonite
• carbonatite
• cassiterite
• chalcopyrite
• cristobalite
• crocidolite
• diatomite