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