ROCKET-BORNE OBSERVATIONS OF THE ZODIACAL LIGHT IN THE NEAR-INFRARED WAVELENGTHS

Our recent rocket-borne observations have provided valuable informatio n on the near-infrared feature of the zodiacal light at high ecliptic latitude and large solar elongation. The observed spectra at lambda < 2.5 mu m where the zodiacal light dominates the sky brightness are smo oth without significant line features and much redder than the solar c olor. The observed color of the zodiacal light and the estimated albed o of inter planetary dust are comparable to those of Comet Halley. Thi s suggests that cometary dust contributes considerably to interplaneta ry dust. The intensity profile of near-infrared zodiacal light as a fu nction of the ecliptic latitude is flatter than at the visible wavelen gth. Dust properties which could reproduce the observed profile are di scussed. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.