Question

explain why do stars twinkle and planets do not​

Answer 1

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Unlike stars, planets don't twinkle. Stars are so distant that they appear as pinpoints of light in the night sky, even when viewed through a telescope. Because all the light is coming from a single point, its path is highly susceptible to atmospheric interference (i.e. their light is easily diffracted).

Answer 2

ExplanationLight of the star is bent many times and in random directions as light is bent when it hits a change in density. This random refraction results in the star winking out - twinkling.

ExplanationLight of the star is bent many times and in random directions as light is bent when it hits a change in density. This random refraction results in the star winking out - twinkling. Planets are closer to Earth and so appear as tiny disks in our sky.

ExplanationLight of the star is bent many times and in random directions as light is bent when it hits a change in density. This random refraction results in the star winking out - twinkling. Planets are closer to Earth and so appear as tiny disks in our sky.The light from these little disks is also refracted by Earth’s atmosphere, as it travels toward our eyes. Due to the planets’ apparent closeness to Earth, the light coming from these celestial bodies does not bend much due to Earth’s atmosphere. Also being not a point source but appearing as disks, they comprise of several point sources- lights of which are coming at the same time. So a deviation in light path of one point source can cancel with deviations of other and would average out to give rise to a steady shine. Therefore, the light coming from our solar system’s planets does not appear to twinkle like stars