Why do the lights on top of towers blink? Why don't they just stay on all the time?

Answer 1

You are more likely to notice something blinking than when it is stationary.

It's kind of like how you can't see animals that are hiding when they are standing still, but when they move you notice that you were staring at them the whole time and didn't notice it.

Answer 2

I am assuming to stop birds from crashing into the tower as a steady light is not noticed.
Blinking Tower Lights May Reduce Collisions
(When she factored tower lighting into the study last spring, she found that guyed towers with white or red strobe lights or red blinking incandescent lights led to far fewer bird deaths than guyed towers with non-blinking red lights. Towers with non-blinking lights accounted for 83 percent of carcasses, those with blinking and strobe lights 17 percent) ....more in links

Answer 3

A blinking light will draw you attention much faster than just a light, especially with peripheral (side) vision. In the case of buildings or towers it's so pilots won't crash into them.

It's the same reason why cops cars and such have rapidly blinking (flashing) lights, to get your attention fast.

Answer 4

They're to warn aircraft that the tower is there. A blinking light is easier to see.

Answer 5

A blinking light draws more attention than a solid light.

Answer 6

Your computer tower light blinks to let you know whenever your hard drive information is being accessed. That's all.

Answer 7

These are warning lights for low-flying aircraft. By blinking, pilots can see and identify them much better.

Answer 8

They are there to warn the pilots, they blink because that gets attention better.

Answer 9

Good Question - simple answer
Because it could be mistaken for some other light source then!

Answer 10

They are strobe lights. Makes it easier for airplanes to see and stay away.