Elusive, Ethereal Zodiacal Light a Possibility Above Oregon, Washington, Coastlines

Published 02/15/26 at 8:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Manzanita, Oregon) - From about now (February) through into spring, you'll want to keep an eye out for something special and quite elusive in the skies.

Around this time of year the western sky just after dusk can reveal a strange, faint cone of light. Some describe it as a pillar instead, but either way it’s known as the “False Dusk” in spring, or more broadly as the Zodiacal Light (its fall counterpart is the “False Dawn”).

Appearing sort of about blue hour, you're going to need long-exposure photography gear. Point your rig to the west on a very clear night and you might catch something quite literally out of this world.

Despite its appearance, the Zodiacal Light isn’t an atmospheric trick like the green flash or a sun pillar. Scientists say it originates within our solar system and may be caused by dust particles kicked up from Mars.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection's Photo Challenge: Can You Finally Photograph the Zodiacal Light? See if you can catch it this year in Oregon or Washington.

NASA photo / Utah

According to OMSI astronomy expert Jim Todd, the phenomenon appears in the western sky during spring for viewers in Oregon and Washington - a fortunate alignment for coastal observers with a flat ocean horizon. Still, sightings are far from guaranteed; very few photographs exist at all.

Experts say most people have never seen it because it's so faint. Even if you've been studying the skies a lot, most haven't caught sight of it. Much of that are the requirements to see it: a completely dark and clear sky, no moon and no light interference from towns around you.

The latter should leave the Oregon or Washington coastlines in the clear, yet no one has apparently ever photographed the zodiacal light in this region. Or the photo is not publicized in any way.

So how to see it?

NASA scientists recommend watching the sky shortly after sunset, often about 30 minutes later, when the glow is most likely to emerge.

Obviously, weather is a big factor, Todd told Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

“After sunset, looking towards the west, clearly visible from horizon to zenith,” he said. “ Highly recommend to get away from city. Camera works well.”

On the coastlines, oceanic haze may be a problem. Eastern Oregon or Washington may be a better choice many times. In fact, that's where Todd has actually seen it with his own eyes.

Just what is the False Dusk / Zodiacal Light? It may well be from something like a comet, but scientists are not yet sure. They do know it interferes with astronomical data when it shows up.

Zolt LeVay Photography - False Dawn in Arizona, bumping into the Milky Way

“Zodiacal light is caused by sunlight reflecting off tiny dust particles in the inner solar system - the disintegrated remains of comets and asteroids,” said NASA. “Attempts to measure how dark space is using telescopes like Hubble have been thwarted by this ambient glow.”

It's also huge. It towers about 30 – 40 degrees up into the sky, more visible and brighter closer to the horizon. You'll also notice it's a smooth and even glow, with no dark areas. Truly ethereal.

Oregon Coast Weather -- Oregon Inland Weather -- Washington Coast Weather

Great coastal spots to look for this will be remote parts of the Long Beach Peninsula, Grayland Beach, on Nehalem Spit near Manzanita, north or south of Port Orford (away from city lights), southern Pacific City, Cape Foulweather near Depoe Bay, the National Dunes Recreation Area between Florence and Reedsport, Cape Sebastian area, and the Samuel H. Boardman Corridor.

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

Astronomy News, Updates from Oregon Coast, Washington Coast

 

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