Monday, September 2, 2024

Morning Zodiacal Light for Mid-Northern Observers (pre-dawn)

During autumn at mid-northern latitudes every year, the ecliptic extends
nearly vertically upward from the eastern horizon before dawn. That geometry favors the appearance of the faint Zodiacal light in the eastern sky for
about half an hour before dawn on moonless mornings. Zodiacal light is
sunlight scattered by interplanetary particles that are concentrated in the plane of the solar system - the same material that produces meteor showers.
It is more readily seen in areas free of urban light pollution. Between now until the full moon on September 17, look for a broad wedge of faint light extending upwards from the eastern horizon and centered on the ecliptic. It will be strongest in the lower third of the sky below the twin stars of
Gemini. Don't confuse the zodiacal light with the Milky Way, which is positioned nearby in the southeastern sky.

New Moon

On Tuesday, September 3 at 01:56 UT, which converts to Monday at 9:56 p.m.
EDT or 6:56 p.m. PDT, the moon will officially reach its new moon phase. At that time our natural satellite will be located in Leo, 1.5 degrees north of the sun. While new, the moon is travelling between Earth and the sun. Since sunlight can only illuminate the far side of the moon, and the moon is in the same region of the sky as the sun, it becomes completely hidden from view
from anywhere on Earth for about a day. After the new moon phase, Earth's celestial night-light will return to shine as a young crescent in the
western evening sky.

(Data Courtesy of Starry Night)
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