Question

To an observer on the earth the stars appear to twinkle. This can be described to ___________.

• A. frequent absorption of star light by earth's atmosphere
• B. the fact that stars do not emit light continuously to their own atmosphere
• C. the refractive index fluctuations in earth's atmosphere
• D. frequent absorption of star light by their own atmosphere

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

the refractive index fluctuations in earth's atmosphere

Refractive index of earth's atmosphere is not constant through out the atmosphere, it fluctuates with altitude which makes the stars appears to twinkle.