The mysterious zodiacal light is one of many night sky mysteries. This dim, diffuse light in the immense gap between the planets has fascinated observers for ages.
A 45-person team's research challenges long-held views and reveals heat's crucial role in the cosmic dust dance.
It may seem strange, but the zodiacal cloud is light reflected from a cosmic trash full of comet debris.
These particles scatter sunlight, creating the zodiacal light in the night sky.
Traditional hypotheses attributed these particles to high-speed encounters that pulverized comet ejecta. Recently reported Icarus discoveries have reversed this perspective.
This investigation is led by SETI Institute meteor astronomer Dr. Peter Jenniskens.
Thanks to a devoted team of experts and citizen scientists, we now understand meteor showers better.