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A Zodiacal Night: APOD Captures False Dawn Over Ladakh's Dark Skies
Key Takeaways
- APOD's September 19, 2026 image, 'A Zodiacal Night,' shows a luminous band of zodiacal light, also called the false dawn, captured just before astronomical twilight.
- The photograph was taken during September's star party at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh, India, at about 4,500 meters altitude.
- Bright Jupiter appears immersed in the faint zodiacal glow near the eastern horizon, with meteors streaking through the night.
- Following the zodiacal band toward the zenith reveals open star cluster M44, while a yellowish Mars sits near the center of the frame.
DE
DT Editorial Team··via science.nasa.gov