phosphoresced
Shone without heat
Phosphoresced is the past tense of phosphoresce, meaning to emit light without burning or noticeable heat.
The glow continues after the energy source is removed, distinguishing it from fluorescence: The dial phosphoresced in the dark long after the lights went out.
The word comes from phosphorus, the element that glows when exposed to air.
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetles
- glow-wormsBioluminescent beetle larvae
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
marine · coral · anglerfish · squid · fungi · foxfire · bacteria · deep-sea
Light emission after absorption
- photonsDiscrete packets of radiance
- excitationStimulation of response
- emission spectrumLight pattern from excited atoms
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
phosphor · energy transfer · spectroscopy · absorption · electron · nanometer · dopant · luminescent
Tremulous, wavering light
- glimmerFaint, wavering light
- gleamFaint reflected light
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- luminousEmitting or reflecting light
ghostly · spectral · otherworldly · eerie · faint · soft glow · dreamlike · haunting
Reflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- starlightLuminance from distant suns
- darknessTotal absence of light
- twilightLight after sunset
- duskDimming after sundown
nightfall · midnight · aurora · night-sky · celestial · glowing · watch dial · clock face
Coastal beacon tower
- beaconGuiding light source
- glow-in-the-darkLuminous without power source
- exit signsIlluminated directional notices
- instrument panelsGrouped vehicle control displays
luminous paint · trail markers · runway lights · diving equipment · military · tactical
fireflies
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetles
- glow-wormsBioluminescent beetle larvae
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
algae · marine · coral · anglerfish · squid · fungi · foxfire · bacteria · deep-sea · phytoplankton
photoluminescence
Light emission after absorption
- photonsDiscrete packets of radiance
- excitationStimulation of response
- emission spectrumLight pattern from excited atoms
wavelength · phosphor · energy transfer · spectroscopy · absorption · electron · nanometer · dopant · luminescent · afterglow
shimmer
Tremulous, wavering light
luminous · ghostly · spectral · otherworldly · eerie · faint · soft glow · dreamlike · haunting · mystical
moonlight
Reflected solar radiance, nocturnal
dusk · nightfall · midnight · aurora · night-sky · celestial · glowing · watch dial · clock face · deep ocean
lighthouse
Coastal beacon tower
- beaconGuiding light source
- glow-in-the-darkLuminous without power source
- exit signsIlluminated directional notices
instrument panels · luminous paint · trail markers · runway lights · diving equipment · military · tactical
phosphorescedextinguished
Made to stop burning
went dark · quenched · blacked out · darkened · faded
phosphorescent, phosphorescence, phosphoresce, phosphoresces, phosphorescing, phosphorescences