Question

Which of the following statement is correct about the twinkling of the stars?

• A. Stars reflect sun's light in a non-uniform manner.
• B. Stars keep changing their positions with respect to the observer randomly.
• C. Light from the stars get refracted by the earth's atmosphere.
• D. Light from the stars get reflected by the surface water droplets in the clouds.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Light from the stars get refracted by the earth's atmosphere.

Stars are celestial bodies that emit their own light similar to the sun. When this light enters the atmosphere, light from the stars get refracted by the earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere itself is not constant and its optical density keeps changing. This changes the extent of bending of the light constantly. Thus the stars seems to be twinkling for the observer.