Discover what puts the “fire” in fireflies when the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh opens “GLOW: Living Lights,” a new special exhibit on display from June 19 through Sept. 12.

Visitors start their journey by investigating the chemical process that produces “cool” light. They then explore the world of light-producing terrestrial organisms like fireflies, glow worms and foxfire fungus before traveling on to the mid-ocean, where an estimated 90 percent of the animals produce light. Here visitors encounter alien‐looking creatures like viper fish, which dangle a light lure to attract their next meal, and cookie cutter sharks, which earned their name from the cookie‐size chunks of flesh they take out of unsuspecting prey in the dark. Visitors continue on to demonstrations of the interesting techniques and equipment used by scientists to study bioluminescence, and then explore the many benefits of this research — from helping to speed the study of cancer‐fighting drugs to the detection of anthrax spores in public places.

Exhibit hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. with last tickets sold at 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $7 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; $4 for children ages 5‐11. Members and children age 4 and under are free.

Purchase tickets online at www.naturalsciences.org, visit the museum box office or call (919) 733-7450, extension 212.

Dr. Edith Widder, of the Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA), is an author on the subject and has been featured in a number of television and film projects, including specials on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic and PBS. Dr. James Case is a leading expert on fireflies and a research professor at the Marine Science Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is widely regarded as the “grandfather” of bioluminescence research. Joining Drs. Case and Widder as a curatorial consultant is Dr. Steven Haddock of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. GLOW is produced by Exhibit IQ and sponsored by Colvard Farms and UNC-TV.

To help celebrate this unique exhibit, as well as its most popular annual event, the museum announces the inaugural BugFest Illustration Contest. BugFest, the largest bug-centric event in the country, is held Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m, and this year features aquatic bugs.

“We invite you to illustrate your best and most realistic version of a bioluminescent or aquatic bug in its natural surroundings,” says a spokesman.

All entrants receive one free children’s admission to GLOW (value, $5). Illustrations will be accepted through Aug. 15. Winning entries will be displayed at BugFest on Sept. 11, with the grand-prize winner selected on-site by event attendees.

For more information, including contest rules and entry forms, visit online at www.naturalsciences.org or stop by the Museum Store.