Why Do Stars Twinkle?

The video explains why stars twinkle, a phenomenon known as stellar scintillation, caused by Earth's atmosphere. As starlight passes through atmospheric layers, it refracts, making stars appear to flicker. The Hubble Space Telescope avoids this issue by capturing images from space, resulting in clear photos. Twinkling also helps distinguish stars from planets, as planets appear more stable due to their proximity. The video concludes with a fun fact about wishing on stars.

What causes the twinkling effect observed in stars from Earth?

• The stars are moving rapidly.

• The Earth's atmosphere refracts starlight.

• The light from stars is absorbed by space dust.

• The stars themselves change brightness.

What is the term used by astronomers to describe the twinkling of stars?

• Astronomical twinkle

• Galactic shimmer

• Stellar scintillation

• Celestial flickering

How do astronomers obtain clear images of stars without the twinkling effect?

• By using ground-based telescopes with advanced lenses.

• By using space telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope.

• By observing stars during the day.

• By waiting for atmospheric conditions to improve.

Why do planets appear more stable and less twinkly compared to stars?

• Planets emit their own light.

• Planets are larger than stars.

• Planets have a different color spectrum.

• Planets are closer and appear as disks.

Which of the following is NOT a reason why stars twinkle?

• Stars are closer to Earth than planets.

• Stars are point sources of light.

• Atmospheric refraction affects starlight.

• Light from stars passes through varying air layers.