Astronomy Picture of the Day . ... 5.09.2012 . ... Credit Copyright: Jens Hackmann Explanation: Does air glow? ... The same airglow can also frequently be seen looking down -- in pictures taken from Earth orbit -- as a faint arc hovering above the surface. ... Lightning and aurorae can also cause air to glow, but result from particle collisions and are more fleeting. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ... Publications with keywords: atmosphere . ... Gamma Ray Earth and Sky . ...