Astronomers have captured a breathtaking image of two celestial wonders in the night sky over Chile’s Atacama Desert. The photo, taken by astrophotographer Petr Horálek, features the bright band of the Milky Way and the faint glow of zodiacal light.
The Milky Way is composed of stars and nebulae, while zodiacal light is a diffuse glow caused by sunlight reflecting off dust in our solar system. Zodiacal light is harder to spot than the Milky Way due to its faintness but can be seen along the ecliptic path during specific timing, usually around equinoxes.
The image was captured at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level, which offers incredibly clear and dark skies. This location allows astronomers to observe both phenomena, enabling them to better understand our universe.
Notably, zodiacal light has been a subject of interest since its discovery in the early 20th century, with some recent research suggesting it may be composed of dust blown off Mars. The bright appearance of zodiacal light can vary, but its name “false dawn” or “false dusk” refers to its visibility over several constellations around the time of sunrise or sunset.
The image showcases various telescopes at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, highlighting the region’s expertise in astronomy and the pursuit of understanding our cosmos.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/astronomy/giant-x-appears-over-chile-as-2-celestial-beams-of-light-cross-space-photo-of-the-week