: 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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There are three types of airglow: dayglow, twilightglow and nightglow, according to Lancaster University's Aurora Watch UK.
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Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 28 May 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
In the photo from the space station, the comet is captured just above Earth’s horizon, which is illuminated by a bright light — also known as airglow — that occurs in the planet’s upper atmosphere when atoms and molecules emit light after being excited by sunlight.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
The atmospheric glow, or airglow, captured in the new photo occurs when sunlight interacts with atoms and molecules within Earth's atmosphere.
—Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Both processes contribute to what’s known as airglow, which, for example, shows up in photographs from orbit as arcs of color above the horizon.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2024
Processes in the ionosphere can create bright swaths of color in the sky, known as airglow, as seen here from the International Space Station.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Aug. 2024
This is, in fact, a phenomenon known as airglow.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 24 Dec. 2019
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Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 28 May 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
In the photo from the space station, the comet is captured just above Earth’s horizon, which is illuminated by a bright light — also known as airglow — that occurs in the planet’s upper atmosphere when atoms and molecules emit light after being excited by sunlight.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
The atmospheric glow, or airglow, captured in the new photo occurs when sunlight interacts with atoms and molecules within Earth's atmosphere.
—Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Both processes contribute to what’s known as airglow, which, for example, shows up in photographs from orbit as arcs of color above the horizon.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2024
Processes in the ionosphere can create bright swaths of color in the sky, known as airglow, as seen here from the International Space Station.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Aug. 2024
This is, in fact, a phenomenon known as airglow.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 24 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Airglow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airglow. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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