Why do stars twinkle, yet planets do not.?

Answer 1

the atmosphere is turbulent and stars are so far away that they are really point sources so when the light refracts thru the atmosphere there are times when much of the star's light goes in a different direction and not to the eyes of the observer. planets are much closer so they appear as a disc. when the light refracts thru the atmosphere there is light from another part of the disc which the observer can see to make up for any light that is refracted into a different direction.

look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillation_%28astrophysics%29

Answer 2

The twinkling effect is caused by turbulence in the atmosphere. The effect is called astronomical scintillation. If you have ever been to a desert or other hot area you can see the turbulence in the air as the heat rises. The air appears to be wavy or a boiling like appearance.

Stars are much further away then planets, even the largest stars are nothing more than a pinpoint of light. Planets are closer and appear as small disks, although the difference is subtle, the planets appear as larger objects. The turbulence effects the smaller object more than the larger one.

Think of dropping 2 coins in the bottom of a pool. It would be easier to see a larger coin like a quarter than a smaller coin like a dime. The disturbance of the water creates a similar effect as the atmosphere..

During times when the atmosphere is extremely turbulent, like the end of a hot day when all of the heat is rising, even planets can twinkle.

Most objects near the horizon, including planets, will twinkle because of the increased turbulence in that area of the sky

Answer 3

The "twinkling" of luminous celestial objects is caused by the light from these objects passing through turbulent air. The more air currents there are on a given night, the more twinkle.

The idea that stars twinkle and planets don't is an old wives' tale. They both "twinkle" about the same.

And the fact that planets derive their luminosity from the sun rather than generating their own light has nothing to do with it, and if you see planets as "discs," you have remarkably good eyesight.

If you observe with an open mind and without being influenced by cultural legends, you will see that they all "twinkle" about the same.

'Scuse me. I gotta go twinkle.

Answer 4

Stars produce their own light. Planets shine only by reflected light.

Since starlight is self-generated, the light is vibrating in all possible planes. As it passes through the different layers of the atmosphere, some of the directions of vibration are temporarily damped - by changes in density due to water vapor, particulates, and the like. When only part of the light is passed, the star looks like it is momentarily dimmer - hence the "twinkle."

Reflected light is polarized - meaning it vibrates only in one plane - and thus is not altered in the same manner by passing through the different layers of air. Since the intensity of the light reaching your eye stays constant, or very nearly so, planets do not appear to twinkle.

Answer 5

Planets are closer so they appear bigger, not by much but a little. Stars appear as dots so when the atmosphere shifts their light, they appear to twinkle. Planets appear as disks, so when the atmosphere shifts their light, they still appear as a disk, thus no twinkling.

Answer 6

stars don't twinkle.the twinkling is an illusion due to the fact that some of their light gets scattered when it goes through our atmosphere.Planets on the other hand,have no light and thus don't twinkle.

Answer 7

I've seen planets twinkle too. They tend to be larger in the sky, so it doesn't show as much, but it also depends on how much crap is in the air distorting the light.

Answer 8

I think its because stars are really like firey balls, like our sun, just many miles away. So when there are things like solar flares and what not it appears to twinkle.

Answer 9

stars dont twinkle

Answer 10

good point?