Airglow (also called nightglow) is a faint emission of light by a planetary atmosphere. In the case of Earth's atmosphere, this optical phenomenon causes the night sky never to be completely dark, even after the effects of starlight and diffused sunlight from the far side are removed.

Oct 22, 2018 · Red, green, purple and yellow swaths of light — known as airglow — are seen in this video of Earth’s limb, shot from the International Space Station. This light is airglow. Airglow occurs when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, excited by sunlight, emit light to shed their excess energy.

Airglow, faint luminescence of Earth’s upper atmosphere that is caused by air molecules’ and atoms’ selective absorption of solar ultraviolet and X-radiation. Most of the airglow emanates from the region about 50 to 300 km (31 to 180 miles) above the surface of …

Apr 25, 2019 · •Airglow or nightglow is a type of chemiluminescence that makes the atmosphere glow. •Light is produced when atoms and molecules in air absorb radiation and release photons. •The most common color of airglow is green, but red and blue also occur.

Jun 28, 2023 · Airglow is the light of excited atoms high in Earth’s atmosphere. It’s usually too faint for the eye alone to see. But under very dark skies, photographers can capture it. Here’s how NASA’s...

Jun 2, 2018 · Airglow occurs when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, excited by sunlight, emit light in order to shed their excess energy. The phenomenon is similar to auroras, but where auroras are driven by high-energy particles originating from the solar wind, airglow is sparked by day-to-day solar radiation.

Oct 24, 2018 · By watching and imaging airglow, the two missions enable scientists to tease out how Earth’s weather and space intersect, dictating the region’s complex behavior.

The most striking difference between auroras and airglow is their visual appearance. Auroras offer bright, dynamic light displays with distinct patterns and movements, while airglow provides a gentle, uniform glow that bathes the entire sky.

Apr 19, 2016 · Most often occurring about 60 miles above the Earth’s surface, airglow happens when particles in the upper atmosphere interact with sunlight and solar radiation, Jason Samenow writes for the...

Oct 22, 2018 · Airglow occurs when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, excited by sunlight, emit light in order to shed their excess energy. Or, it can happen when atoms and molecules that have been ionized by sunlight collide with and capture a free electron.