Gegenschein (German for counterglow) is a faint brightening of the night sky in the region of the ecliptic directly opposite the Sun. It was discovered in 1854 by the Danish astronomer Theodor Brorsen. The plane of the ecliptic is well seen in this picture from the 1994 lunar prospecting Clementine spacecraft. ... The Sun is the name given to the star of our solar system. ... 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Theodor Johan Christian Ambders Brorsen (July 29, 1819 – May 31, 1895) was a Danish astronomer. ...
Observation
The gegenschein is so faint that it cannot be seen if there is any moonlight or light pollution, or if it falls in the vicinity of the Milky Way. The gegenschein appears as a softly glowing oval region a few degrees wide and 10-15° in length, oriented along the plane of the ecliptic. Bulk composition of the moons mantle and crust estimated, weight percent Oxygen 42. ... This photo of New York City shows excessive sky glow, one form of light pollution, partly caused by many unshielded lights. ... The Milky Way (a translation of the Latin Via Lactea, in turn derived from the Greek Γαλαξίας (Galaxias), sometimes referred to simply as the Galaxy), is a barred spiral galaxy which forms part of the Local Group. ... The plane of the ecliptic is well seen in this picture from the 1994 lunar prospecting Clementine spacecraft. ...
Explanation
Like the zodiacal light the gegenschein is sunlight reflected by interplanetary dust. Most of this dust is orbiting the sun in about the ecliptic plane (zodiac). The intensity of gegenschein is (relatively) enhanced because (a) each dust particle is seen in full phase, and (b) the backscattering geometry leads to constructive interference. The zodiacal light in the eastern sky before the beginning of morning twilight. ... It has been suggested that Space dust be merged into this article or section. ... Indo-European Zodiac signs, 16th century , medieval woodcuts The term zodiac (from Greek zodiakos [kyklos], circle of little animals, from zodiaion, the diminutive of zoon animal) denotes several places where a circle of twelve animals occurs. ... In astronomy, a phase of the Moon is any of the aspects or appearances presented by the Moon as seen from Earth, determined by the portion of the Moon that is visibly illuminated by the Sun. ... In telecommunication, the term backscattering has the following meanings: 1. ...
Gegenschein (German for counterglow) is a faint brightening of the night sky in the region of the ecliptic directly opposite the Sun.
The gegenschein appears as a softly glowing oval region a few degrees wide and 10-15° in length, oriented along the plane of the ecliptic.
The intensity of gegenschein is (relatively) enhanced because (a) each dust particle is seen in full phase, and (b) the backscattering geometry leads to constructive interference.
The zodiacal light and the gegenschein (German for "counter-glow"), which are often easily seen in the tropics, are most readily seen in the morning sky for our latitude in September and October.
The gegenschein is a faint spot of light in the sky, diametrically opposite Sun.
Cometary dust and dust generated by collisions among the asteroids are believed responsible for the maintenance of the dust cloud producing the zodiacal light and the gegenschein.
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