Question

Planets do not twinkle because?

• A. they scatter less light
• B. they act as extended source of light
• C. they act as a point source of light
• D. they scatter more light

Answer 1

Answer:

B. they act as extended source of light

• Planets do not twinkle because they act as extended sources of light, so the variations due to atmospheric turbulence are averaged out.

• Stars twinkle because their light undergoes atmospheric refraction, causing the light's path and the star's apparent position to fluctuate.

• Planets, being closer to Earth, appear as extended sources of light, and the effects of refraction on their light average out, preventing them from twinkling