Unexplained natural phenomenon of the day: triboluminescence

[kaberett]

Okay. So. I spent last night miserably insomniac and this morning wretchedly fatigued (and this evening nursing a migraine), BUT, A came through to the bedroom -- blinds (Venetian & blackout) down, lights off, etc -- to encourage me upright for lunch, and handed me my post.

It was dark. I was groggy. I had woken up from a deeply disorienting dream and had not quite fought my way clear of it yet. I was definitely feeling Off.

And I started opening the envelope, and it glowed purple at me.

I was startled, and alarmed, and more than half-convinced that I was hallucinating, but then I gingerly tried again and the same thing happened.

I wailed in dismay to Adam.

Adam was mildly surprised I'd never previously observed this, and presented me with a wikipedia page.

Apparently! I have probably! been getting letters that produce an Eldritch Purple Glow all along! but because, for obvious reasons, I mostly don't open my post in the dark, I was blissfully unaware of this fact! AND NOW I AM NOT. You're welcome.

Comments

[recessional]

Who is sending you eldritch letters? XD

[kaberett]

THE ROYAL MAIL

[momijizukamori]

Oh that's wild :D I have seen the wintergreen lifesaver version of this, but was unaware it could occur with other things!

[steorra]

I grew up with the wintergreen lifesaver version too. Our windowless bathroom was perfect for observing it any time of day.

[sylvaine]

Oh wow! I've seen static electricity sparks in the dark from plasticky clothing, but not this kind of thing! :0 the world is a cool place to live in.

[simont]

I encountered the name in Surely You're Joking at an early age, with Feynman's description being

When you take a lump of sugar and crush it with a pair of pliers in the dark, you can see a bluish flash. Some other crystals do that too. Nobody knows why. The phenomenon is called “triboluminescence.”

I never tried that as a child (pesky parents and their narrow-minded insistence that not getting mess all over the house is more important than SCIENCE), and I'm ashamed to say I've still never tried it even as an adult (I don't get sugar in lumps big enough), but like you, I think the only circumstances in which I've actually observed it are when unsticking a self-sealing envelope.

[horselizard]

WHAT

[lunabee34]

Whoa. Nice. I gotta go open some shit in the dark.

[passingbuzzards]

this is SO WEIRD, what.

[tree_and_leaf]

WHAT

[jesse_the_k]

Yikes and hooray

[silveradept]

The natural world is so much stranger than we can conceive of. I would not have realized that was even possible.

[fyreharper]

They what??!?!!