answersLogoWhite

0

Stars appear to "twinkle" because of the Earth's atmosphere. The turbulence of the atmosphere refracts the light from distant stars in different direction. This causes the star's image to flicker in between varying degrees brightness and position. Even our Sun, the closest star to Earth is affected by this, as one can tell by the slight shimmering around the Sun's edge.

You will notice that stars closer to the horizon will appear to twinkle more than other stars. This is because there is a lot more atmosphere between you and a star near the horizon than between you and a star higher in the sky.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Astronomy

Does mars twinkle in the night sky?

Mars does not twinkle in the night sky as much as stars do, because planets are closer to Earth and appear as solid, bright discs of light. Twinkling occurs when starlight is distorted as it passes through Earth's atmosphere, but planets are large enough to not twinkle significantly.


Which stars wink?

Stars appear to twinkle or flicker in the night sky due to the Earth's atmosphere causing the light from the stars to refract, creating a twinkling effect. This phenomenon is more noticeable when stars are low on the horizon, as the light passes through a greater thickness of the atmosphere. All stars can appear to "wink" or twinkle as seen from Earth.


Why do stars twinkle on a clear night?

Interference from Earth's atmosphere.


Do planets twinkle in the night sky?

Well, friend, planets generally don't twinkle like stars do because they are much closer to us and their light isn't as easily disrupted by Earth's atmosphere. Take a moment to appreciate the steady glow of planets in the night sky, each one conveying its own unique beauty to be appreciated in stillness and wonder. Keep looking up and discovering the splendid cosmic dance that surrounds us every night.


What are flying stars at night?

"Flying stars at night" is not a common term in astronomy. If you are referring to stars that appear to move or appear to twinkle, this may be due to atmospheric effects or the rotation of the Earth causing the stars to appear to move across the sky. If you have a specific context in mind, please provide more information.

Related Questions

Why do stars appear twinkle as seen from the earth at night?

Earth's movement around the sun bends the light.


Why do stars appear to twinkle as seen from the earth at night?

Earth's movement around the sun bends the light.


Does mars twinkle in the night sky?

Mars does not twinkle in the night sky as much as stars do, because planets are closer to Earth and appear as solid, bright discs of light. Twinkling occurs when starlight is distorted as it passes through Earth's atmosphere, but planets are large enough to not twinkle significantly.


Which stars wink?

Stars appear to twinkle or flicker in the night sky due to the Earth's atmosphere causing the light from the stars to refract, creating a twinkling effect. This phenomenon is more noticeable when stars are low on the horizon, as the light passes through a greater thickness of the atmosphere. All stars can appear to "wink" or twinkle as seen from Earth.


Do the stars appear to twinkle from other planets?

When you look at the stars through any substantial atmosphere (mixture of gases), they appear to twinkle, and they're not visible during the day. When you look at the stars through no gas, like from the Hubble Telescope or from the surface of the moon, they're visible all the time, day and night, even when the sun is also in the sky, and they don't twinkle.


What causes a star to appear to twinkle?

Turbulent air flow in the Earth's atmosphere distorts our view, causing stars to appear to twinkle.


What is the fuzzy cloud around the stars?

Stars appear to twinkle and are fuzzy due to the earths atmosphere


Why do stars twinkle on a clear night?

Interference from Earth's atmosphere.


How do stars twinkle in the absence of oxygen?

Stars twinkle due to the Earth's atmosphere and its turbulence, which causes the light from stars to refract and flicker as it passes through. The twinkling effect is not related to the presence of oxygen specifically, so stars can still appear to twinkle in the absence of oxygen.


Do planets twinkle in the night sky?

Well, friend, planets generally don't twinkle like stars do because they are much closer to us and their light isn't as easily disrupted by Earth's atmosphere. Take a moment to appreciate the steady glow of planets in the night sky, each one conveying its own unique beauty to be appreciated in stillness and wonder. Keep looking up and discovering the splendid cosmic dance that surrounds us every night.


What are flying stars at night?

"Flying stars at night" is not a common term in astronomy. If you are referring to stars that appear to move or appear to twinkle, this may be due to atmospheric effects or the rotation of the Earth causing the stars to appear to move across the sky. If you have a specific context in mind, please provide more information.


Why do stars appear to twinkle as seen  from the Earth?

Because you are looking through several miles of atmosphere and the air currents cause the stars to twinkle.