phosphoresces
Shines without heat
Phosphoresces is the verb for emitting light without combustion or significant heat—the cold glow of certain substances after exposure to radiation or light.
Fireflies don't technically phosphoresce (they use a chemical reaction), but deep-sea creatures and some minerals do: The algae phosphoresces in the wake of the boat.
The noun is phosphorescence.
Glowing luminous quality
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
- gleamFaint reflected light
- glimmerFaint, wavering light
- afterglowLingering light or feeling
soft light · faint · pale · greenish · bluish · dim · gentle · steady
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetle
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- glowwormBioluminescent beetle larva
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
marine · krill · coral · anglerfish · comb jelly · foxfire
Resembling a specter
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- uncannyEerily beyond normal
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
haunted · supernatural · mysterious · apparition · phantasmal · spooky · shadowy · chilling
radiance
Glowing luminous quality
afterglow · soft light · faint · pale · greenish · bluish · dim · gentle · steady · pulsing
firefly
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetle
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- glowwormBioluminescent beetle larva
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
deep-sea · marine · krill · coral · anglerfish · comb jelly · foxfire
ghostly
Resembling a specter
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- uncannyEerily beyond normal
otherworldly · haunted · supernatural · mysterious · apparition · phantasmal · spooky · shadowy · chilling · ominous
darkness
Total absence of light
dusk · midnight · stars · nightfall · gloom · murky · underwater · cave · deep · blackness
phosphorescent, phosphorescence, phosphoresce, phosphoresced, phosphorescing, phosphorescences