Question #d1725
1 Answer
Nov 8, 2017
Because differently dense or moving atmosphere air bends starlight.
Explanation:
Despite shining with a steady light, stars seem to twinkle due to the turbulence or air movement and inhomogenities in the Earth's atmosphere ( Schlieren effect ).
This causes light to bend a little.
Some of the starlight reaches us directly and the other part bends slightly away, suffering an illusion of distortion.
(You will notice that stars closer to the horizon will appear to twinkle more because there is a lot more 'atmosphere' or distance)
