(a) How does refraction take place in the atmosphere? Why do stars twinkle but not the planets? (b) State…
(a) How does refraction take place in the atmosphere? Why do stars twinkle but not the planets?
(b) State any two effects of atmospheric refraction on the sun as observed from the earth.
Solution
[C8SE2015]
(a) Due to change in the density of atmospheric layers when light travel through them gets refracted. It is known as atmospheric refraction. Due to this atmospheric refraction intensity of light, coming from a point sized star same times becomes more and sometimes less, which gives the appearance of twinkling of the star.
(b) (i) Sun can be seen two minute prior it rises and two minute before it sets.
(ii) Twinkling of star.