- #1
billy_boy_999
- 131
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why do stars twinkle? (or why do they look like they're twinkling?)
Stars appear to twinkle due to the Earth's atmosphere. As light from the stars travels through the atmosphere, it gets refracted or bent, due to changes in temperature and density. This causes the light to appear to flicker, giving the illusion of twinkling.
Yes, all stars twinkle to some extent. However, the brightness and color of the star can affect how much it appears to twinkle. Brighter stars tend to twinkle less than dimmer stars.
Unlike stars, planets are much closer to Earth and therefore appear larger in the night sky. This means that the light from planets is less affected by the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to appear more steady and not twinkle.
Yes, stars can still twinkle during the day, but they are not visible due to the brightness of the sun. The only time stars can be seen twinkling during the day is during a solar eclipse, when the sun's brightness is blocked by the moon.
No, stars do not twinkle in space. Since there is no atmosphere in space, there is no refraction of light and therefore no twinkling effect. This is why stars appear to be more steady when viewed from space.