airglow

[ air-gloh ]
/ ˈɛərˌgloʊ /

noun

a dim light from the upper atmosphere caused by emissions from atoms and molecules ionized by solar radiation: observed at night (nightglow), during the day (dayglow), and at twilight (twilight glow), with each having slightly different characteristics.

Origin of airglow

First recorded in 1950–55; air1 + glow

Words nearby airglow

airfield, airflow, airfoil, airframe, airfreight, airglow, airhead, airhose, airily, airiness, airing

British Dictionary definitions for airglow

airglow
/ (ˈɛəˌɡləʊ) /

noun

the faint light from the upper atmosphere in the night sky, esp in low latitudes

Scientific definitions for airglow

airglow
[ âr′glō′ ]

A faint photochemical luminescence in the upper atmosphere caused by the collision of x-rays and charged particles from the Sun with atoms and molecules, especially of oxygen, sodium, and the hydroxyl radical (OH). Airglow is strongest over low and middle latitudes.