Neon is a GAS, ELEMENT, and raregas that is commonly used in lamps. It is a colorless, odorless, inert monatomic GAS under standard conditions, with about two-thirds the density of air. Neon is a chemical ELEMENT with symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It is a noble GAS that is found in trace amounts in the atmosphere and is used in a variety of applications, including lighting, lasers, and cryogenic refrigeration. Neon is also used in advertising signs and is often referred to as 'neon lighting'. Neon is a rare GAS, meaning it is not found in large concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere. It is the fifth most abundant ELEMENT in the universe and the second most abundant noble GAS after helium.