Measurements have been made of the relative light intensity distribution in an rf glow discharge (exhibiting the characteristics of a rapidly alternating dc glow discharge) maintained between copper electrodes in air at atmospheric pressure. Both the spatial distribution and the dependence on time of the light intensity were examined. The face diameter of each electrode was 3 mm and the electrode separation was 0.5 mm± 0.025 mm. All data were taken with a discharge frequency of 0.2 MHz and a discharge current of 0.6 A. Image converter data are presented as well as photomultiplier tube data. The experimental data presented verify that the cathode glow does definitely shift position from one electrode to the other in alternating half‐cycles and that essentially a total light turn‐off occurs prior to reignition in the next half‐cycle.