Question

Stars appear to twinkle in the sky due to ______ of light.

Answer 1

1. The twinkling of a star is due to the atmospheric refraction of starlight.
2. As the light ray enters from the sky to earth, there is a temperature gradient in the path.
3. Far away from earth, the temperature is cold. And the temperature is hot near the earth.
4. The hotter atmosphere is less dense than the cooler atmosphere and has a refractive index slightly less than that of the cooler atmosphere.
5. When light travels through different densities of media causes multiples of refraction.
6. Thus, light from stars causes the number of bending, so it appears twinkling.

Hence, Stars appear to twinkle in the sky due to the refraction of light.