Quote:
Originally Posted by RayinPenn
First if the object you are viewing doesnt twinkle it is a planet. Planet light is from the sun and is constant. Planets are visible or not dependent mostly on the earths orbit. Plently of neat websites out there if you are interested.
|
Stars twinkle because at their great distance they are essentially a single pinpoint of light. As that ray goes thru the atmosphere the beam is slightly refracted right and left up and down by the particles in the atmosphere. On the other hand the planets are not points but rather wider beams and the tiny refractions cancel each other giving a steady appearing image. If you were in outer space the stars would not appear to twinkle.