Question

why do we appear to see twinkling effect of stars? Give proper reason...​

Answer 1

• Stars twinkle due to atmospheric refraction of starlight.

• The starlight passes through atmospheric medium of gradually changing refractive index.

• So, it is reflected multiple times.

• As the apparent position of the star and the physical condition of the earth's atmosphere are not constant the amount of light entering the eye flickers and gives a twinkling effect.

$\blue{Additional \: information :}$

• The Earth's atmosphere is not uniform throughout its density goes on changing as we move up and down.

• It can be considered to be consisting of layers of different densities which act as rare or denser medium with respect to each other.

• Due to this when the light passes through the earth's atmosphere they undergo refraction.

• The refraction of light caused by this layers is called atmospheric refraction.