The stars also twinkle: this is NASA’s explanation

The universe and space are two great unknowns of human knowledge. There are countless aspects, elements or movements that remain a mystery to researchers around the world today, due to their breadth. Although it is true that these professionals work every day to try to know everything that surrounds us and what is not yet known to humans, to uncover those mysteries, those unknowns that surround us. stars It is another element that we see in the sky every day, illuminating space, but do we know where this light comes from or why the stars shine? The answer to this question is clarified through a scientific journey that reveals its nature Atmospheric shimmer.

First of all, it should be noted that the Earth’s atmosphere is much larger than the air that we breathe. It is a gaseous layer that plays an essential role in the secret of the brightness of stars, and extends approximately 10,000 km from the surface Of the planet on which it is located. As starlight travels through the vastness of interstellar space, it meets its fate at the edge of Earth.

You may be interested in: The first tomato harvested outside Earth appears that was lost on NASA’s International Space Station

However, some stars may have left this universe thousands of years ago. But how is this possible if we see them in the sky every day as soon as it gets dark? This is because light, although it travels at tremendous speed, can take millions of years to reach us from its original place. This is why when we look at the sky, especially in areas free of pollution, we see a distant past.

What happens when the light of these stars enters our atmosphere? This atmospheric twinkle, the sparkle of the stars, that adds magic to a starry night, is due to a scientific phenomenon. Light, after passing through different layers and densities of the atmosphere, is affected by various changes in pressure, gaseous composition and temperature.

You may be interested in: What was the laser message emitted 16 million kilometers from Earth received by NASA?

That is, every molecule in the atmosphere plays an essential role in the twinkling of stars. A phenomenon called in English “flash“, which refers to the zigzag effect that this light experiences when it passes through the elements of the atmosphere. A kind of dance that the eyes of citizens see as the twinkling of stars.

An amazing phenomenon that proves the greatness of the universe and the extent of its ignorance among many citizens. The stars, the thing that we have always seen adorning the sky every time last night and that you probably have not stopped to think about what produces this phenomenon, this distinctive twinkle or twinkle.