American astronaut captures Milky Way and false dawn in one photo

American astronaut Don Pettit has captured Milky Way, Zodiacal light and Starlink satellite in one image, Kazinform News Agency reports.

The astronaut shared the image on his X account. 

In his words, the photo was taken from Dragon Crew 9 vehicle port window. 

“One photo with: Milkyway, Zodical light, @Starlink satellites as streaks, stars as pin points, atmosphere on edge showing OH emission as burned umber (my favorite Crayon color), soon to rise sun, and cities at night as streaks. Taken two days ago from Dragon Crew 9 vehicle port window,” the publication reads.

One photo with: Milkyway, Zodical light, @Starlink satellites as streaks, stars as pin points, atmosphere on edge showing OH emission as burned umber (my favorite Crayon color), soon to rise sun, and cities at night as streaks. Taken two days ago from Dragon Crew 9 vehicle port… pic.twitter.com/iCIXwgw9JB

— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 13, 2025

According to astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy “this might be the best photo ever taken from the ISS. Bravo. (ISS).

Zodiacal light or false dawn is a faint glow extending along the ecliptic (i.e. in the region of zodiac), caused by the scattering of sunlight by dust particles concentrated in the plane of the solar system.