Today's Image

Zodiacal light over New Mexico

Posted by
Deborah Byrd
and
February 27, 2014
View larger. | The zodiacal lights are the diffuse cone-shaped lights extending up from the horizon on the right side of this photo. Richard T. Hasbrouck in Truchas, New Mexico. captured this photo on February 23, 2014.
View larger. | The zodiacal light is the diffuse pyramid-shaped light extending up from the horizon on the right side of this photo. Richard T. Hasbrouck in Truchas, New Mexico. captured this eerie light on February 23, 2014. Visit Richard T. Hasbrouck’s photo site.

Richard T. Hasbrouck captured this beautiful photo of the zodiacal light on February 23, 2014 from Truchas, New Mexico. He wrote:

First learned about zodiacal light on the EarthSky web site, and had to see if I could photograph it. Looked up the time when astronomical twilight ended, and the bearing of the setting sun. Found a location with no nearby yard lights and took a number of shots.

In the photo, the bright band of lights at bottom center is the city of Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Canon EOS 5D Mk III, Canon 16-35 mm lens at 18 mm, ISO 1600, f/2.8, 15 sec. Tripod mounted; mirror locked up, 2 second delay.

Imported into Lightroom 4 for initial RAW processing; exported to Photoshop CS6 for final processing. Discovered that looking to the side of the Z-light revealed a distinct band of light. Subsequently learned that this was referred to by astronomy types as averted vision.

Indeed it is, Richard. Thank you for sharing this beautiful photo.

Read more: Everything you need to know about the zodiacal light

BlueskyThreadsBuffer
Posted 
February 27, 2014
 in 
Today's Image

Deborah Byrd

View Articles
About the Author:
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.

Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from 

Deborah Byrd

View All
Here’s how to see the Lunar X and V at 1st-quarter moon
April 23, 2026
Summer solstice in Mars’ southern hemisphere is April 25
April 22, 2026
Happy Earth Day! Why do we celebrate it on April 22?
April 22, 2026
Universe’s expansion rate: ‘Something doesn’t add up’
April 12, 2026