Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Why Stars Twinkle

Thanks to Salesforce for sponsoring a portion of this video.

Have you ever wondered why stars twinkle? Do you know why astronomers hate twinkling stars? On this StarTalk explainer video, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are going to give you the answers.

In order to understand twinkling stars we need to understand how far away the stars are from us. You’ll learn just how big and empty space can be. Neil gives some examples to put the distance between celestial objects into perspective.

Find out about convection and mirages. Neil explains how the same scientific processes are causing stars to twinkle in the night. We discuss how the starlight is refracting its way through the atmosphere one pocket of air at a time. You’ll learn how astronomers figured out how to compensate for the refraction and how that led to the creation of "adaptive optics." All that, plus, you’ll find out why the first star you see tonight might, in fact, be a planet.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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0:00 - Sponsored by Salesforce
1:39 - Introduction
3:10 - Distance of Stars
5:57 - Distance of the Moon
7:09 - Atmospheric Refraction
12:38 - Mountaintop Seeing
14:10 - Adaptive Optics
17:09 - When You Wish Upon A Planet
18:30 - Do Planets Twinkle?
19:43 - Closing Notes

[HUMFREX]

When I think of a preschool version of Neil explaining what stars are to a preschool version of chuck, they both still have their mustaches.

[brettlansing]

Does anyone else just get home from a long day, wind down, then lay in bed and watch Star Talk? Or am I the only one hahahah

[zillith]

“Twinkle twinkle little star how I wonder what you are”
The star: goes supernova

[elektra]

I have a very curious 8-year old niece always full of questions I don't know the answers to. These videos helped me (in an entertaining way, I might add) to explain the world surrounding us. I just wanted to thank you both for enabling me to motivate her curiosity and helping her to fulfil her intellectual potential... Hopefully one day she will be the explainer.

[bbb]

“Twinkle twinkle little star how I wonder what you are”
The star: jk, I'ma planet

[SemiPerfectDark]

Neil: Gives chuck an amazing mind-boggling piece of information

Chuck: Absorbs the information for longer than 5 seconds

Neil: Okay, get over it I got another one

[AlessandroCardano]

Timmy: "Twinkle twinkle…"
deGrasse: *"Wish NOT granted, that was a planet."*

[kherynnw]

I was watching one of these videos and my husband (without even seeing the video) was like - is that Neil Degrasse Tyson? And I said yes and he instantly became interested in what I was watching and now he is hooked and subscribed. I enjoy this content very much.

[bobbailey]

I just wish to say how nice it is to have the humor of Chuck Nice incorporated with this show. Just when I need a laugh this man with his great intellect interjects humor into my ears for my brain to enjoy. Thank you from all of us!

[tevinmagadani]

Dr Neil and Chuck are the best science explainers of all times, best duos

[godless]

A twinkling star walks into a bar.

Astrophysicist: Hey! We don't take kindly to your type round' these parts!

[Duececoupe]

Early finish from work, nightshift....what does a logically thinking person do, someone who knows how to use common sense, they watch, or listen, to StarTalk....for the eagerness, the hunger to learn!

Thanks for always inspiring me to look up and to always make me laugh!

[kaylibbmatheson]

Science and Neil help me realise how small most my problems are and makes life a little easier

[ericsullivan]

Just got home from teaching my astronomy class. Gona watch this now.

[bullettube]

When I was in high school in 1965 my science teacher told me it should be "twinkle twinkle planet Venus, first planet I see tonight...".
RIP Mr Martin, you were the best! Neil and Chuck are now my go-to experts on astronomy and science in general!

[bortiz]

These little videos are AMAZING to help answer questions of my very intelligent teenager, now undergoing remote learning. Our conversations are about philosophy and astrophysics and biology and geology... thanks for helping us out.

[MarioDallaRiva]

Neil and Chuck: if you did these videos daily, life during this pandemic will be that much more tolerable! I'm just sayin'...

[nomarlebron]

I love the way Chuck can make Dr. Neil laugh like no other co-host can. WE'RE SAVED!

[ismirdochegal]

Me: listens to Neil deGrasse Tyson talking astrophysics.
Also me: does not understand a single word used in the advertisement.

[arjunnambiar]

Yeah it's always a pleasure to see Chuck in the Startalk videos!!