What causes the apparent change in the position of the stars?

The monthly positions of the stars change because of the interaction between the rotation of the earth around its axis and the orbit of the earth around the sun. The stars rotate around the north and south celestial poles; hence the stars are always moving relative to a point on the earth’s surface.

Why stars are seen higher than their actual position?

Due to atmospheric refraction, the stars seem to be higher in the sky than they actually are. This can be explained as follows : Light from a star is refracted (bent) as it leaves space (a vacuum) and enters the earth’s atmosphere. Due to this refraction of star’s light, the star appears to be at a higher position.

What is the reason for which stars are not seen in the actual position?

Stars are not seen at their actual positions rather they appear slightly above of their normal positions. The earth’s atmosphere is not uniform. The density of atmosphere and consequently refracting index changes continuously. Generally refracting index increases when coming down in atmosphere.

Why are not the stars exactly at the same position where they appear to the eye?

Stars seem higher than they actually are because of the phenomenon of atmospheric refraction. The atmospheric air at higher levels is rarer and the air near the earth’s surface is denser, and the light from the star bends more sharply when it passes through the denser layer of air.

What is the difference between actual position and the apparent position?

The apparent place of an object is its position in space as seen by an observer. Because of physical and geometrical effects it may differ from the “true” or “geometric” position.

Why do stars move differently than planets?

The motion of planets is separate to the motion of stars. Like everything in the sky, they rise in the east, and set in the west, because of the earth’s rotation. But night by night, their position at a given time changes because of their orbit around the sun.

Why do stars twinkle but not the planets?

Stars have their own light and twinkle in the night, but a planet does not have their own light. Planets reflect the light, which falls on them from the sun. Stars twinkle because of turbulence in the earth’s atmosphere. Planets do not have nuclear fusion, they do not produce their own light.

Why stars appear higher and twinkling in sky?

The twinkling of a star is due to atmospheric refraction of starlight. As the light ray enters from sky to earth, Far away from earth, temperature is cold. Temperature is hot near the earth .

Is the position of a star as seen by us it’s true position justify?

No, due to refraction. Due to refraction light changes its original path. Refractive index of the inner layers in the earth’s atmosphere and the refractive index of the outer atmosphere are different from each other. Apparent position of the star is not its original position.

Is the position of a star as seen by us is actually its true position justify your answer with suitable diagram?

No, what is seen is not true. The starlight on entering the earth’s atmosphere, undergoes refraction continuously before it reaches the earth. The atmospheric refraction occurs in a medium of gradually changing refractive index.

Why do stars near the horizon twinkle more?

First, stars close to the horizon twinkle more because their light must travel through more air to reach your eye. As they rise and the light travels through progressively less air, the effect lessens, and stars at the zenith (the overhead point) are affected least.

What is the actual position of the object and the apparent position of the object?

Why do stars appear to appear higher than they actually are?

Since the atmosphere bends the starlight towards normal, the apparent position of the star appears to be slightly different from its actual position. The star appears slightly higher than its actual position when viewed near the horizon.

Why is the apparent position of a star not constant?

Since the atmosphere bends the starlight towards normal, the apparent position of the star appears to be slightly different from its actual position. This apparent position of the star is hence not constant and predictable and keeps fluctuating. Was this answer helpful?

How does atmospheric refraction affect the position of stars?

The atmospheric refraction occurs in a medium of gradually changing refractive index. Since the atmosphere bends the starlight towards normal, the apparent position of the star appears to be slightly different from its actual position. The star appears slightly higher than its actual position when viewed near the horizon.

Why do stars bend towards the naormal at each layer?

So they bend towards the naormal at each layer. Due to continuous refraction, the light from the star appears to come from a point which is actually higher than the star. Queries asked on Sunday & after 7pm from Monday to Saturday will be answered after 12pm the next working day.