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WHAT IS ASHEN LIGHT?

BBC Science Focus

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November 2023

The 'ashen light', or AL, is a faint, mysterious glow, or colouration, seen in the night-side hemisphere of the planet Venus.

WHAT IS ASHEN LIGHT?

It's often compared to the reflected 'Earthshine' that sometimes illuminates the dark-side of the Moon. First reported in 1643 by Italian astronomer Giovanni Riccioli, AL has been observed many times since, but its faint, transitory and elusive nature has prevented serious study. More problematically, AL has only ever been detected by the human eye and no scientific instrument, either Earth-based or space-based, has ever recorded the phenomenon.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

DO I HAVE ALEXITHYMIA?

We can all struggle to find the words to explain ourselves, but if you regularly experience feelings that you can't identify, you might have alexithymia.

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

SHOULD I KEEP MY CAR KEYS IN A FARADAY BOX?

Potentially, yes. The invention of keyless entry means we can unlock our cars upon approach, something particularly helpful when you want to open the boot, but have your hands full of shopping.

time to read

2 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

SHOULD I START SNIFFING ROSEMARY?

Is there any truth to the Shakespearean phrase 'rosemary for remembrance'? Actually, yes.

time to read

1 min

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

Groundbreaking footage captures hidden moment of human fertility

Observing the crucial step in human development could help improve fertility and IVF

time to read

1 min

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

THE GIANT PHANTOM JELLYFISH

Conjure in your mind a giant, deep-sea predator, and I bet there's a colossal squid lurking in there, perhaps with an even bigger sperm whale chasing after it.

time to read

2 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

EDITOR'S PICKS...

This month's smartest tech

time to read

4 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

'Clearest sign' of alien life on Mars found by NASA

Strange 'leopard spot' markings on a Martian rock could finally be the sign we've been waiting for that alien microbes once lived on the Red Planet

time to read

4 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

Human brains emit a bizarre glow

Subtle light shines through our skulls in patterns that depends on what we're doing

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

"Far from being the bad guy, cortisol is a hormone that's vital for our bodies and brains"

To complicate matters further, cortisol is also released in bursts, about every hour or so.

time to read

2 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

HOW MANY ORGANS COULD I SURVIVE WITHOUT?

The annals of medical history prove that the average human meat sack is surprisingly resilient.

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

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