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For pretty much the same reason that stars do. It's an optical illusion caused by the bending of light through a turbulent and hazy atmosphere.

If the unevenly-heated air between you and the streetlights happens to contain a mix of smoke, dust and water vapor, then the churning particles and droplets will act like tiny mirrors, shadows and lenses. This chaotic mix will distort the light rays passing through it, causing faraway light sources to appear to flicker or twinkle.

As you move closer to the light, the number of photons reaching your eyes rapidly increases. This tends to average out the apparent intensity of the light, making the twinkling effect 'magically' disappear. (This is also the same way ancient astronomers were able to tell planets from stars, by the way: the planets are close enough to Earth that it took a very turbulent sky indeed to make them appear to twinkle at all.)

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Why are the clouds orange at night?

Clouds can appear orange at night due to light pollution from cities or towns, causing the clouds to reflect the artificial light. Additionally, the angle of the setting or rising sun can affect the color of the clouds, making them appear orange during certain times of the day.


What could be the cause of flashing lights in clouds at night?

Flashing lights in clouds at night could be caused by lightning within the clouds, also known as intra-cloud lightning or cloud-to-cloud lightning. This phenomenon occurs when electrical discharges within the cloud create a flickering or flashing effect that can be seen from the ground.


What causes the phenomenon of a yellow night sky?

A yellow night sky can be caused by air pollution, specifically from city lights reflecting off particles in the atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as light pollution.


When strong solar winds are directed poleward what do you see at night?

When strong solar winds are directed poleward, you may see increased auroral activity at night near the poles. This can result in vibrant displays of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Lights (aurora australis) in the Southern Hemisphere.


How does lightning visually impact the night sky?

Lightning visually impacts the night sky by illuminating it with bright flashes of light. These flashes can be seen from a distance and can light up the entire sky for a brief moment, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring effect.

Related Questions

Why are there street lights?

To help see at night


Do street lights switch off during night?

Street Lights stay on in the night as they have a light detection unit on the top, if the sensor falls under shadow it turns on.


Can street lights affect night blooming jasmine?

yes


Why did Charles bush invent street lights?

Charles Bush did not invent street lights. In fact, the first electric street lights were invented by Sir Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison in the late 19th century. Street lights were developed to improve visibility and safety on roads and streets during the night.


When driving behind a car at night what distance should you turn down your high beam lights?

when you see there tail lights. White lights travel farther then red lights.


When a vehicle is coming toward you at night at what distance must you dim your lights?

when you can see their headlights


When a vehicle is coming toward you at night at what distance must you dim your lights in feet?

250


How do you find objects in the night sky?

it depends what you look for if you look for a planet you might want to head to a field on a cloudless night with no street lights


When Driving at night you must use your headlights if street lights are further apart than?

185 metres


Why do stars twinkle on a clear night?

Interference from Earth's atmosphere.


Do mourning dove come out at night?

The Mourning Dove (Not "Morning" as people have mistaken), commonly sleep during the night time. However, in urban areas with a lot of street lights, it is not uncommon to see the occasional Mourning Dove during their mating season out at night as the street lights cause them to believe it's actually day time.


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.