The Zodiacal Light is a faint cone of light that rises from the western horizon upwards towards the Pleiades and Taurus. It is caused by sunlight reflecting off dust in the solar system, orbiting the sun. It is best seen when the ecliptic is at a steep angle to the horizon, which equates to February and March after sunset, or September and October before dawn. It must be observed in a very dark sky. Moonlight or light pollution will obscure it.

If you look closely at the image, the Zodiacal light points toward the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters. Mars is the bright “star” in between the Pleiades and the Hyades (Taurus). In the upper left hand corner of the image are the three belt stars of Orion and also his sword (4 stars) and M-42, or the Orion Nebula. In the upper right hand side is the Double Cluster in Perseus, and in the lower right hand side is the Andromeda Nebula.

Nikon D750, 14-24mm Sigma Art lens at 18mm, f-2.8, 10sec, tripod with no tracking.

Minor exposure and brightness adjustments in Adobe Light Room.