just thought I'd share this..I created this vid in Vue..I used one sphere and the 'scatter/replicate objects' function to create the small spheres..(go to top menu/edit/scatter/replicate objects) ...

http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab200/mshpaintbucket2/Vue-MaryHinesProjects-01/ExploMeta-02MaryHines-01-1f-gloligh.gif

hadn't had Vue very long when I did this project, was just experimenting, really, but if one were to put some real effert into it, I'm sure they could do better than this, really.

looks neat when rendered with rock material, too..if one wanted to, they could have the rock mat gradually turn into glowing rocks, or just add a glow to the rock mats from the start, of course.