Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Why Stars Twinkle

Thanks to Salesforce for sponsoring a portion of this video. https://www.salesforce.com/startalk 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. #SMB #smallbiz #startups #SalesforceEssentials @essentials Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ 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! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson 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