logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2023
35m 58s

Glow for it! How do creatures make light...

American Public Media
About this episode
Lots of creatures are able to glow, like fish, mushrooms, fireflies and even some bacteria! This special ability is called bioluminescence and it looks like magic, but it’s actually chemistry. In this episode, we’ll travel to the bottom of the ocean in the ExPLORERR to meet some super spectacular, bioluminescent friends and find out why so many animals make ... Show More
Up next
Oct 20
Why do we like getting scared?
Spooky stuff may make you cover your eyes in fright, but many of us find ourselves peeking through our fingers to get another glimpse. Why are we drawn to things that make us jump? In this episode, we'll find out how fear can actually be fun. We visit a scientist who helps design ... Show More
32m 34s
Oct 13
Can dogs read our minds?
Does it seem like your dog knows what you’re going to do before you do it? Do they know how you’re feeling? We’re going to answer these questions by talking to Dr. Alexandra Horowitz from the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College. We’ll take a look at dog body language and what we ... Show More
37m 41s
Oct 6
The hows and whys of hair
The hair on our heads is on our minds. We have fun with follicles and learn about how they make hair. Our experts help us decipher what makes hair black or brown, blonde or red, and even why it turns gray. From eye lashes to ear and nose hair, this episode has it all. Why do huma ... Show More
31m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2012
Bioluminescence: A Bright and Shiny Fish
<p>Science has a handle on fireflies and glowworms, but most bioluminescent animals live in the ocean and are tough to study. Today, researchers are still figuring out why some animals produce light. Dive with Josh and Chuck into this illuminating topic.</p><p> </p> Learn more ab ... Show More
36m 40s
Apr 2022
Glow in the dark ocean
Most deep-water creatures are bioluminescent. Marine biologist Edie Widder has spent the last 40 years trying to figure out why. For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show. Also, email us! un ... Show More
30m 30s
Oct 2024
How do things glow in the dark?
<p><strong>#198</strong></p> <p>In this special Halloween episode Melissa and Jam explore the spooky yet fascinating world of glow-in-the-dark chemistry. The discussion delves into nostalgic aspects of Halloween, focusing particularly on phosphorescence and the forbidden transiti ... Show More
42m 14s
Aug 2025
What makes fireflies glow?
<p>Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind fireflies' bioluminescence. They explore how fireflies produce light through a complex series of chemical reactions involving specific molecules like luciferin and enzymes like luciferase. The discussion extends to ho ... Show More
56m 31s
Aug 2025
How do glowsticks glow?
<p><strong>#067 Rebroadcast (Originally Aired October 2020)</strong></p> <p>Guess what time of year it is. It's spooky time! One thing we see a lot of during this time of year, is things that glow. And you better believe that's chemistry. So how do glowsticks glow? How does bendi ... Show More
33m 57s
Oct 2025
The Glow Below
<p>A call to oceanographer Edie Widder about a fish with a very odd immune system quickly becomes something else: a dive into the deep sea, into a world of brilliant light. But down there, the light doesn’t behave like light -- it sparkles and glows, but also drips, squirts, and ... Show More
28m 36s
Nov 2024
Why do some mushrooms glow?
Fungi are a mysterious and understudied life form. And to add to the intrigue, some of them actually glow in the dark. This phenomenon has sparked CrowdScience listener Derek's curiosity, and he's asked us to investigate.Presenter Caroline Steel gets on the case. This is just one ... Show More
29m 29s
Jul 2021
Hot pink flying squirrels
An accidental discovery on a nighttime walk led one scientist and his team to wonder: How many mammals glow under ultraviolet light? The list keeps growing, but scientists still aren’t sure why these furry creatures glow. For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great ... Show More
29m 39s
Aug 2025
Decoding Fireflies’ Smelly Signals And Blinking Butts
<p>Fireflies’ magical blinking lights are tiny beacons in the warm dark night. Who can resist catching one? Not scientists.</p><p>Because their light comes from bodily chemicals, fireflies’ power of illumination has long been used as a <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segme ... Show More
17m 48s
Oct 2022
How do glow sticks work? The science of chemiluminescence
With Halloween just around the corner, we're talking all things glow sticks! What makes glow sticks glow, and what does it have to do with ocean bacteria? Let's take a look at the science of chemiluminescence. Ellen Phiddian is a science journalist at Cosmos. She has a BSc (Honou ... Show More
7m 48s