Zodiacal Light Above Desert Observatory Dome

A pale, triangular wedge of zodiacal light stretches upward from the horizon, glowing softly against the bright midsummer sky. Below, the white hemispherical dome of the observatory sits amidst dry, scrubby desert terrain. Wind whips loose dust across the foreground, blurring the immediate ground while keeping the dome's smooth surface sharp. The scene is illuminated by reflected light, likely off a distant water source, casting a cool, silvery sheen on the metal hatch and the surrounding gravel. Shallow depth of field softens the background hills, drawing focus to the structural details of the dome and the faint, ghostly column of light rising above it. A thin shadow falls across the base of the dome, marking the angle of the sun.