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Cosmic Colors: Why Stars Twinkle in Different Hues

July 19, 2025

Listen to this lesson:

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and noticed how some stars seem to twinkle in different colors? This dazzling display happens because stars emit light in various colors based on their temperature. Hotter stars look blue or white, while cooler stars glow red or orange. As the light travels through Earth's atmosphere, it gets bent in different directions, creating a 'twinkling' effect that can sometimes make the colors appear even more vibrant. The next time you're stargazing, try to spot different colors among the stars and imagine the temperature of those distant suns. It's like a cosmic rainbow that lights up the universe!
Ask Your Kid: Can you find a star tonight and guess its color? What do you think that tells us about the star's temperature?