phosphorescences
Light without heat
Phosphorescences are instances of phosphorescence—the emission of light without combustion or perceptible heat.
The word typically appears when describing multiple sources or occasions of this glow: The phosphorescences of the sea creatures created an underwater light show.
The term covers both the scientific phenomenon and its poetic evocations of ghostly, lingering luminescence.
Lingering light or feeling
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- photonsDiscrete packets of radiance
- electronsNegative charges in atoms
- decayGradual organic breakdown
wavelength · spectroscopy · quantum · radiation · molecules · compounds · radium · phosphors
Giving off steady light
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- marineRelating to the sea
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
fireflies · organisms · ocean · waves · nighttime · tropical · blue-green · microorganisms
Giving off steady light
- shimmeringGleaming with wavering light
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- luminousEmitting or reflecting light
- ghostlyResembling a specter
greenish · iridescent · soft glow · radiance · gleaming · spectral · otherworldly · eerie
afterglow
Lingering light or feeling
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- photonsDiscrete packets of radiance
- electronsNegative charges in atoms
decay · wavelength · spectroscopy · quantum · radiation · molecules · compounds · radium · phosphors · energy transfer
glowing
Giving off steady light
jellyfish · fireflies · organisms · ocean · waves · nighttime · tropical · blue-green · microorganisms · tides
glowing
Giving off steady light
- shimmeringGleaming with wavering light
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- luminousEmitting or reflecting light
ghostly · greenish · iridescent · soft glow · radiance · gleaming · spectral · otherworldly · eerie · haunting
wake
Path left in water
maritime · propeller · stern · tropical seas · navigation · deck · starboard · voyages · mariners · hull
Nabokov
symbolism · romantic · supernatural · magical · dreamlike · evocative · transcendent · Victorian · prose · verse