Ethereal in the East: Check Oregon, Washington Even Coastlines for Zodiacal Light Near Dawn

Published 08/31/25 at 7:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Bandon, Oregon) - A rarely-caught and ethereal phenomenon known as the Zodiacal Light is making its seasonal appearance in the skies over the Pacific Northwest, visible in the hour before sunrise through early November. Often referred to as the “False Dawn” in fall, this faint, cone-shaped glow may resemble a pillar of light or a distant city’s illumination. In spring it's the False Dusk and happens in the west. (Zolt LeVay Photography - False Dawn in Arizona, bumping into the Milky Way)

It has been seen already, according to EarthSky.org.

The best time to catch the Zodiacal Light is between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., with eastern Oregon and Washington offering prime viewing conditions. Locations such as Prineville, Pendleton, and Spokane are favored due to their all-around clearer skies. Coastal towns like Westport, Bandon, Seaside, Port Orford, Long Beach, and Lincoln City may also offer glimpses, though the angle is less favorable in fall compared to spring.

Make sure you're looking east.

EarthSky.org said it may look like the glow of a city lights in the east, as it can be a bit of a light blob with a pointy, triangular thing up top.

Jim Todd, astronomy expert at OMSI in Portland, emphasized the importance of escaping urban light pollution. “Get out of city lights,” Todd advised, noting that weather and atmospheric conditions play a significant role.

The shot above comes from Arizona, courtesy David Lane

Oceanic haze may be a problem for coastal areas.

No, the Zodiacal Light is not a kind of atmospheric reflection or refraction, like the green flash at sunset or a sun pillar. Scientists believe the dust may originate from comets or even be kicked up from Mars, though its exact source remains uncertain.

NASA describes the Zodiacal Light as a reflection of sunlight off tiny dust particles in the inner solar system. It's almost a kind of pollution in space.

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

Photo Stephan Rahn

Whatever it is, it's rarely photographed. There do not appear to be any shots from Oregon of the phenomenon.

Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather  - Inland Oregon Weather

Photographers hoping to capture the Zodiacal Light are advised to use long exposures and wide-angle lenses, similar to techniques used for imaging comets. Bracket-shooting various parts of the sky may help, given the light’s broad and diffuse nature.

Bandon at night. Courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts.

A bright moon can obscure the view, but with several weeks of potential visibility, observers have ample opportunity to witness this celestial display.

Todd told Oregon Coast Beach Connection he has seen it with his own eyes a few times, however, although all were in central or eastern Oregon where the skies are clearer.

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