Why do stars twinkle?
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Stars twinkle because of the atmosphere of Earth, which causes their light to bend as it travels to our eyes. This phenomenon is called atmospheric refraction. Here's how it works: 1. Layers of the Atmosphere: Earth's atmosphere consists of layers with varying temperatures and densities. These layerRead more
Stars twinkle because of the atmosphere of Earth, which causes their light to bend as it travels to our eyes. This phenomenon is called atmospheric refraction. Here’s how it works:
1. Layers of the Atmosphere:
Earth’s atmosphere consists of layers with varying temperatures and densities. These layers constantly move and create turbulence.
2. Light Bending:
As starlight passes through these turbulent layers, it bends (or refracts) in different directions. This bending causes the star’s position to appear to shift slightly.
3. Brightness Fluctuation:
Sometimes more light enters our eyes, and sometimes less, making the star appear to twinkle or flicker.
Interestingly, planets don’t twinkle as much because they appear as larger disks of light, not single points, so the effects of atmospheric turbulence average out.
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