Question

The phenomenon responsible for twinkling of stars is ___

Answer 1

The phenomenon responsible for twinkling of stars is refraction. Light from the stars has to come through a thick layer of atmosphere and also the density of atmosphere keeps on changing as gravitation increases so more dense layer of atmosphere will have greater refractive index and hence will bend light more. Since the physical condition of atmosphere is not constant and keeps on changing so the amount of star light entering our eye keeps on changing thus sometimes they appear bright while sometimes faint.