The twinkling of a star is due to :
atmospheric reflection of starlight.
atmospheric refraction of starlight.
continuous change in the position of the star.
oscillation of starlight.
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2022
Starlight travels through the Earth’s atmosphere before reaching our eyes. The atmosphere is composed of layers with different densities and temperatures, causing the refractive index to vary continuously. As starlight passes through these varying layers, it is refracted or bent slightly in different directions. This continuous change in the path of light causes fluctuations in the apparent brightness and position of the star, leading to the twinkling effect.