Twinkling of stars is due to:
atmospheric refraction
Stars Twinkling Explained
The twinkling of stars, also known as scintillation, occurs due to the effect of the Earth's atmosphere on starlight.
Atmospheric Refraction Cause
Atmospheric refraction is the primary reason stars appear to twinkle. Starlight travels from the distant star through space to reach Earth. As it enters Earth's atmosphere, it passes through layers of air with varying temperatures and densities.
Light Bending Effect
These variations cause the light ray to bend, or refract, slightly. The path of the light constantly changes as it encounters different air pockets. This continuous bending causes the star's apparent position and brightness to fluctuate rapidly.
Perception of Twinkling
Our eyes perceive these rapid fluctuations in brightness and position as twinkling. The effect is more pronounced for stars because they are point-like sources of light, making them more sensitive to atmospheric disturbances compared to planets, which appear as small discs.
Therefore, the twinkling of stars is a result of atmospheric refraction.
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