afterglow

Afterglow refers to the lingering light or radiance remaining after a source of illumination has been removed or turned off. It occurs because certain materials or objects, such as phosphorescent substances or stars, store energy temporarily and then gradually release it over time. For example, glow-in-the-dark toys absorb light and slowly emit it afterward, providing a soft glow. Similarly, stars show afterglow when their light reaches us long after the initial emission, allowing us to see them even after they've faded or if there's a delay in light reaching Earth.