: light that is observed especially during the night, that originates in the high atmosphere of a planet (such as the earth), and that is associated with photochemical reactions of gases caused by solar radiation
Examples of airglow in a Sentence
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This perspective allows viewers to appreciate the curvature of the planet, accentuated by a thin, faint green layer of airglow along the horizon, a reminder of Earth's atmosphere glowing softly against the darkness of space.
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Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Additionally the atmosphere's airglow can be clearly seen in the orange line just above the atmosphere.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025
Using this device, as well as other modern camera equipment, Pettit and other astronauts have been able to take amazing low-light photographs recently, imaging city lights, auroras, airglow, and the stars of our surrounding galaxy.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
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Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Additionally the atmosphere's airglow can be clearly seen in the orange line just above the atmosphere.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025
Using this device, as well as other modern camera equipment, Pettit and other astronauts have been able to take amazing low-light photographs recently, imaging city lights, auroras, airglow, and the stars of our surrounding galaxy.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Airglow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airglow. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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