Question

Why do stars twinkle in the sky at night?
1. Due to atmospheric refraction of starlight
2. Due to hot air
3. Due to advance light
4. Due to dispersion of light

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Due to atmospheric refraction of starlight

The correct answer is Due to the atmospheric refraction of starlight.

• Stars twinkle in the sky at night due to the atmospheric refraction of starlight.
• A ray of light bends as it passes from one medium to another is called Refraction.
  • If light travels from a rare medium to a dense medium, it bends towards the normal.
  • If light travels from a dense medium to a rarer medium, it bends away from the normal.
• The earth's atmosphere is made up of several layers.
•  When light from a distant source (a star) passes through the atmosphere it undergoes refraction many times,
• This light from a star looks to be twinkling when we eventually see it.
• This is due to the fact that certain light beams directly reach us, while others bend away from and toward us.
• It occurs so quickly that it creates a sparkling(twinkle) effect.