Zodiac light adorns the skies of Saudi Arabia... When and how to observe the phenomenon
The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, announced that the skies of the Kingdom and the Arab world will witness, after sunset on Thursday, March 5, 2026, and the disappearance of the evening twilight, the appearance of a faint and distinctive celestial glow known as the Zodiacal Light. This phenomenon is one of the most beautiful astronomical sights that can be observed with the naked eye in dark areas, as the light appears extending upwards from the western horizon in the form of a faint luminous triangle, adding a magical spectacle to the sky, far removed from city lights and light pollution.
What is zodiacal light and how is it formed?
To understand the nature of this phenomenon, we must return to the fundamental components of our solar system. Zodiacal light from the reflection of sunlight off extremely fine dust particles scattered throughout interplanetary space. These particles are remnants left behind by passing comets and asteroid impacts over eons. Historically, the ancient Arabs distinguished this light, appearing at dawn, from true dawn, calling it "false dawn" due to its deceptive nature and pyramidal shape, which differs from the horizontal spread of true morning light.
These particles form what is scientifically known as the "interplanetary dust cloud," which is concentrated along the plane of the ecliptic, the apparent path the Sun and planets take across the sky. This cloud is considered an astronomical fossil, holding within it the history of the formation and evolution of the solar system.
The ideal timing for observation and the impact of the vernal equinox
Abu Zahra explained that the period from now until April, which coincides with the approach of the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, is one of the best times of the year to observe this phenomenon in the evening sky. This is because the ecliptic plane during the nights of March is inclined at a very steep angle and very high relative to the western horizon after sunset.
This tilt makes the zodiacal light appear tall and prominent in the sky, easily distinguishable from the usual sunset glow. Viewing conditions are best in tropical and subtropical latitudes, such as parts of Saudi Arabia, where the geographical location helps the glow to appear more clearly and vertically above the horizon.
The scientific and aesthetic importance of the phenomenon
The importance of observing this event extends beyond mere visual enjoyment to encompass significant scientific and environmental aspects. The clear appearance of this light serves as an excellent indicator of atmospheric clarity and the absence of artificial light pollution in the region, making it a benchmark for sky quality in desert and remote areas. Regionally and internationally, interest in such phenomena is growing to promote "astronomy tourism" and the establishment of light reserves that strive to preserve the darkness of the sky as a natural heritage for future generations.
Because this light is relatively faint, the presence of the moon can easily obscure it. Therefore, nights when the moon is new or absent are the most suitable for observation. In this context, Abu Zahra pointed out that the nights during the second half of Ramadan, up until the moon reaches its conjunction phase on March 19, 2026—specifically between March 16 and 20—are considered the golden period for enjoying this celestial spectacle.
Tips for photographing zodiac light
For amateur astrophotographers, capturing a clear image of this light presents a rewarding challenge. The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society noted that it can be photographed using professional cameras equipped with wide-angle lenses. A suggested setup is a full-frame camera, such as the Canon EOS 6D, with a wide-angle lens, and mounting the camera on a telephoto lens to compensate for the Earth's rotation.
It is preferable to use a long exposure of approximately 100 seconds with a high light sensitivity (ISO) of up to 3200, in order to collect as many light photons as possible and show the faint pyramidal glow clearly and in fine detail, highlighting the beauty of the cosmic dust floating in our vast space.
