Cosmic Glitter

Twinkle twinkle, cloudless night.

The stars are sparkling clear and bright.

Those pin-prick suns send rays of light

that blink and wink to our delight.

Most stars don’t twinkle at their source,

it’s just some rays get knocked off-course.

Their glittering images appear

because of Earth’s own atmosphere.

The layers of air around our world

like flimsy see-through curtains swirl,

and dapple starlight passing through.

So, does the moonlight twinkle too?

first published in CSIRO’s Scientriffic magazine issue #78 March 2012