Why Do Bones Glow?
Bones themselves don't typically glow in the dark like in movies. However, there are specific circumstances and species where a bone-related glow can be observed. This phenomenon isn't due to the bone material itself but to other factors.
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Decomposing Bones: As noted on Quora (https://www.quora.com/Why-do-bones-glow-in-the-dark), decomposing bones, often found in graveyards, can sometimes appear to glow due to bioluminescent bacteria or other processes associated with decay. This eerie glow is often mistaken for ghostly phenomena.
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Fluorescence Under UV Light: Certain types of bones, particularly in some animal species, exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light. This is demonstrated in chameleons, where their bones glow under UV light, even through their skin (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/chameleon-bones-florescent-ultraviolet-light-spd, https://www.livescience.com/61454-chameleons-bones-glow.html). This is not "glowing" in the traditional sense but rather a response to specific wavelengths of light.
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Cremated Remains: A study found that cremated human bone, specifically after heating to 600°C, displays a long-lived green luminescence attributed to carbon quantum dot material (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43630-024-00618-2). This is a result of the chemical changes caused by the cremation process.
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Bone Scans: Medical bone scans use radioactive tracers, like technetium (https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32833599), which aren't inherently luminous but allow doctors to visualize bone activity through specialized imaging. This isn't a visible glow of the bone itself.
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White Phosphorus: While not directly related to living bone, it's important to note that white phosphorus, an element found in trace amounts within the body, is known for its phosphorescence—glowing in the dark due to its reaction with oxygen. However, the quantity in bone is far too insignificant to cause any visible glow.
The Misconception:
The idea of bones inherently glowing in the dark is a misconception. While some bone-related phenomena can produce light under certain conditions, this is not a property of bone itself but rather a result of external factors like decomposition, specific chemical reactions, or the introduction of external substances.
