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Earth's mysterious red glow, explained - Zoe Pierrat

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2,389 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 2009, a satellite circled Earth, scanning and sorting the wavelengths reflecting off the planet’s surface. Researchers noticed something baffling: an unexpected wavelength of unknown origin. They tried looking at Earth with only this wavelength, and saw the planet covered in a red hue of varying intensity. So, what was going on? Zoe Pierrat explores the science of chlorophyll fluorescence.

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What are some areas that scientists found to be particularly bright with fluorescence?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Zoe Pierrat
  • Director Denis Chapon, The Animation Workshop
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Denis Chapon
  • Animator Denis Chapon
  • Compositor Denis Chapon
  • Art Director Denis Chapon
  • Composer André Aires
  • Sound Designer André Aires
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Cella Wright
  • Production Coordinator Abdallah Ewis
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Jennifer Nam

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