It’s St. Patrick’s day, and though I haven’t been out partaking of the early-am parties, I do feel like sharing a light-hearted notation about good old nitric oxide.

Seems some company has invented a fake lightning bug–or at least come up with a way to imitate the effect they produce in our temperate-zone backyards on warm spring nights. These fake fireflies use electronic energy to light up, but the secret of the glow of real lightning bugs is nitric oxide in their abdomens.

Interesting how science provides its own enchantment. Doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of lightning bugs one bit to know where their magic comes from.