gegenschein

[ gey-guhn-shahyn ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a faint, elliptical patch of light in the night sky that appears opposite the sun, being a reflection of sunlight by meteoric material in space.

gegenschein

/ ˈɡeɪɡənˌʃaɪn /

noun

1. a faint glow in the sky, just visible at a position opposite to that of the sun and having a similar origin to zodiacal light Also calledcounterglow

Word History and Origins

Origin of gegenschein¹

First recorded in 1875–80, gegenschein is from the German word Gegenschein counterglow

Word History and Origins

Origin of gegenschein¹

German, from gegen against, opposite + Schein light; see shine

Example Sentences

Two to look for: the gegenschein and zodiacal light.

From Washington Post

"Who else knows the gegenschein is broken glass?"

From Project Gutenberg