What Are Some Examples of Natural Light?

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Natural light is produced by natural processes, such as the sun and stars. By contrast, man-made devices, such as flashlights and light bulbs, emit artificial light. All forms of light require the release of energy, and in the natural world, this includes explosions, fires and similar phenomenon.

Stars, such as the Earth’s sun, produce light because they are undergoing a thermonuclear reaction deep within their cores. The sun produces much of the light that falls on the Earth because it is much closer than the other stars. Although the moon does not produce its own light, it is an impressive reflector, and much of the sun’s light bounces off of it and onto the dark side of the Earth.

Fire produces natural light as well, and the color of the light depends upon the substance being burned. Some organisms produce their own light through a process called bioluminescence. Lava and high temperature rocks can emit a weak glow as well, which is also a form of natural light.

Artificial light is created in a variety of ways. Incandescent, fluorescent and LED light bulbs are some examples of artificial light sources, although items such as televisions and watch faces also produce artificial light.