nightglow
Sky's faint shimmer
Nightglow is the faint luminescence of Earth's upper atmosphere at night, caused by chemical reactions among atoms and molecules energized by solar radiation during the day.
Unlike auroras, which are localized near the poles, nightglow occurs globally and gives the night sky a subtle background radiance visible from space or high altitudes.
Atmospheric nocturnal luminescence
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- thermosphereHigh-temperature atmospheric zone
- ionosphereCharged upper atmospheric layer
- hydroxyl-OH functional group
oxygen · nitrogen · photochemistry · chemiluminescence · excitation · emission · green line · upper atmosphere
Delicate beyond earthly measure
- sereneUntroubled and composed
- celestialOf the sky above
- luminousEmitting or reflecting light
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
radiance · subtle · faint · soft · ambient · diffuse · otherworldly · tranquil
Light after sunset
- starlightLuminance from distant suns
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- darknessTotal absence of light
- midnightTwelve o'clock at night
stargazing · constellations · horizon · silhouette · dusk · predawn · zenith · heavens
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetles
- glowwormsBioluminescent beetle larvae
- foxfireGlowing fungi on rot
- phosphorescentEmitting stored light
- mushroomsSpore-bearing fruiting bodies
airglow
Atmospheric nocturnal luminescence
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- thermosphereHigh-temperature atmospheric zone
- ionosphereCharged upper atmospheric layer
hydroxyl · oxygen · nitrogen · photochemistry · chemiluminescence · excitation · emission · green line · upper atmosphere · plasma
ethereal
Delicate beyond earthly measure
shimmer · radiance · subtle · faint · soft · ambient · diffuse · otherworldly · tranquil · mysterious
twilight
Light after sunset
- starlightLuminance from distant suns
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- darknessTotal absence of light
midnight · stargazing · constellations · horizon · silhouette · dusk · predawn · zenith · heavens · firmament
fireflies
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetles
- glowwormsBioluminescent beetle larvae
- foxfireGlowing fungi on rot
- phosphorescentEmitting stored light
nightglowmoonlight
Reflected solar radiance, nocturnal
starlight · aurora · sunlight · earthshine · solar radiation
nightglowdaylight
Sun's natural glow
bright light · glare · blinding light · darkness · blackout
glow, night, glowing, nightfall, nighttime, tonight, overnight, nightly, glower