What type of light is described as generated without heating the object?

The correct answer is luminescence, which refers to light emitted by a substance without the involvement of heat. This phenomenon occurs through various processes, including fluorescence and phosphorescence, where electrons in atoms become excited and release energy in the form of light when they return to their ground state. Luminescence can occur at lower temperatures and does not rely on the thermal emission of energy, which contrasts with incandescence, where light is produced as a result of an object being heated.

Electric discharge, while it can produce light (such as in neon lights), typically involves the movement of electric current and can reach high temperatures, leading to different emission characteristics. Triboluminescence is a specific type of luminescence generated by mechanical actions, such as the fracturing of certain materials, where light is produced without heat due to the movement and interaction of particles.

Therefore, luminescence stands out as the primary type of light that is generated without relying on heat, making it the correct choice in this question.