Observing · Physics
Scintillation
Say it: sin-tih-LAY-shun IPA: /ˌsɪntɪˈleɪʃən/ noun
Scintillation: Rapid fluctuations in a received astronomical signal caused by an irregular intervening medium.
Visible starlight can brighten and dim as it crosses turbulent air. That familiar twinkling is atmospheric scintillation; radio signals can scintillate through plasma as well.
- Example
- The star's strong scintillation made its brightness appear to flicker.
- Why astronomers use it
- It can limit precise observations and also reveal properties of the material the signal crossed.
- Tiny cosmic connection
- Ordinary stellar twinkling is usually a propagation effect, not the star physically changing brightness that quickly.
Observatory Observing Physics
Where to check it
Written for Cool Moon Facts in its own words; the sources cover the same idea in more depth.