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Origins of Light

What is the origin of light?

 

The physicist will probably tell you that it is a photon emitted by matter in an excited state.

 

The astronomer will certainly agree with that, but might add that such excited matter can be found in stars, which are fueled by nuclear reactions or in gas clouds that are energized by electromagnetic radiation.

 

The chemist will also agree with the physicist, but will add that matter can also be excited by a chemical reaction, thus leading to chemoluminescence.

 

The biologist might bring another aspect into the discussion: Such chemical reactions can take place inside living organisms, leading to bioluminescence and that the most frequently encountered bioluminescent organisms may be the dinoflagellates present in the surface layers of the sea, which are responsible for the sparkling phosphorescence sometimes seen at night in disturbed water.

 

Finally, the astrophotographer might agree with all of the above and, if he is lucky enough, he will be able to show you an image where a sky, filled with billions of stars and a few colorful emission nebulas, is riding above a remote ocean shore where photo luminescent bacteria seem to rival the starlight with their own glow.

 

EXIF

Canon EOS 6D, astro modified

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L ll @70mm

iOptron Skytracker

 

Foreground:

4 x 30s @ ISO1600, stacked

Sky:

4 x 30s @ ISO1600, tracked, stacked

 

Prints available

ralf-rohner.pixels.com

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Uploaded on September 26, 2018
Taken on August 6, 2018