1. During the day, a phenomenon similar to the gegenschein called the glory can be seen in reflecting air or clouds opposite the Sun from an airplane.

2. The gegenschein is sunlight back-scattered off small interplanetary dust particles.

3. Pictured above, the gegenschein is seen superposed toward the constellation of Pisces.

4. The gegenschein is distinguished from zodiacal light by the high angle of reflection.

5. The gegenschein is distinguished from zodiacal light near the Sun by the high angle of reflection.

6. At night this glow is known as the gegenschein (German for "counter glow"), and can be seen as a faint glow in an extremely dark sky.

7. In fact, a rarely discernable faint glow known as the gegenschein (German for "counter glow") can be seen 180 degrees around from the Sun in an extremely dark sky.

8. Here a deep exposure of an extremely dark sky over Paranal Observatory in Chile shows the gegenschein so clearly that even a surrounding glow is visible.

9. Pictured above from last October is one of the most spectacular pictures of the gegenschein yet taken.