Scientists Say: Luminescence

Luminescence (noun, “Loo-men-ESS-scents”)

This is the production of light with little or no production of heat. Many common items that produce light, such as light bulbs and matches, do so through incandescence. That’s light produced as a result of heat. But luminescence is light that is produced by a chemical or electrical reaction. This light is produced at lower temperatures — such as those in living organisms. And some organisms, such as jellyfish and fireflies, actually have specialty chemicals that produce light.

Light produced by a living organism is called bioluminescence. When light comes from a chemical reaction, it’s known as chemiluminescence. And light that occurs when an electrical current moves through something is called electroluminescence.

In a sentence

Designers can make the spacesuit for a future Mars mission light up with the help of luminescence. 

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