Zodiac light appear in the skies of Saudi Arabia: Date and observation details
The Jeddah Astronomical Society revealed details of a distinctive astronomical phenomenon that will grace the skies of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world. The head of the society, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, explained that the sky will witness the appearance of what is known as "zodiacal light," which is a faint celestial glow that appears clearly on dark nights away from the light pollution of cities.
Details of the phenomenon and when it will appear
Engineer Abu Zahra stated that after sunset on Thursday, March 5, 2026, and the disappearance of the evening twilight glow, this pyramid-shaped glow will begin to be observed. The zodiacal light extends from the western horizon upwards, appearing as a faint triangle of light. The period from now until April, which coincides with the approach of the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, is considered one of the best times of the year to observe this enchanting phenomenon in the evening sky.
This light usually begins to appear after the end of astronomical twilight, that is, about 90 to 120 minutes after sunset, when the sky becomes dark enough to distinguish this faint cosmic glow.
Scientific explanation: Interplanetary dust
Scientifically, zodiacal light is caused by the reflection of sunlight off tiny dust particles floating in interplanetary space. These particles are remnants left behind by passing comets and asteroid impacts over eons. They form what is known as the "interplanetary dust cloud," the density of which is concentrated along the plane of the ecliptic, the apparent path the Sun and planets take across the sky.
This phenomenon is of particular importance to amateur astronomers and scientists, as it is a visible evidence with the naked eye (under ideal conditions) of the material that makes up the solar system, which we do not usually see due to the sun's strong glare during the day or light pollution at night.
Why is March the best month?
The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society pointed out that the secret behind the clarity of the view at this time lies in the angle of inclination of the ecliptic. During the nights of March, the path of the ecliptic is inclined at a sharp angle and almost perpendicular to the western horizon after sunset. This geometric position causes the cone of zodiacal light to rise high in the sky, rather than being inclined and close to the horizon where it would be obscured by atmospheric dust, thus making it more visible to observers, especially in tropical regions such as the Arabian Peninsula.
The influence of the moon and the best times for observation during Ramadan
Because the zodiacal light is relatively faint, the presence of the moon in the sky can completely obscure its visibility. Therefore, Abu Zahra emphasized that nights when the moon is absent or in its thin crescent phase are the most suitable. In terms of astronomical timing for 2026, the second half of Ramadan, specifically the period preceding the moon's conjunction on March 19, 2026, will be ideal. Observation is particularly recommended between March 16 and 20, when the sky is dark and allows for a clear view of the phenomenon's finer details.
Tips for photographing zodiac light
For astrophotography enthusiasts, the association explained that documenting this phenomenon requires specialized equipment due to the faint light. It is recommended to use professional DSLR cameras with light-sensitive sensors (such as the Canon EOS 6D) equipped with wide-angle lenses (such as 14mm). For optimal results, the camera should be mounted on a tripod or astronomical tracker, and long exposure settings of up to 100 seconds should be used with a high ISO sensitivity of up to 3200, ideally in desert locations far from city lights.
