I thought stars twinkle because they're just points, so distortions are enough to move the entire image. Planets are large enough that distortions don't really change the shape or size of the image, they just make it blurry.
Yeah fair enough - both things are subject to atmospheric distortion changing the way they look. I am thinking in the context of ufo-ology though - planets are large enough that distortions in the atmosphere between the viewer and the planet can make the planet look like it's doing stuff - different shadows and warbles on the disc of the planet can look like shit changing form. a star will shift with atmospheric distortion but because it's only a single point of light instead of a disc, it'll appear to move a little in position but there isn't the same intra-object change.
I thought stars twinkle because they're just points, so distortions are enough to move the entire image. Planets are large enough that distortions don't really change the shape or size of the image, they just make it blurry.
Yeah fair enough - both things are subject to atmospheric distortion changing the way they look. I am thinking in the context of ufo-ology though - planets are large enough that distortions in the atmosphere between the viewer and the planet can make the planet look like it's doing stuff - different shadows and warbles on the disc of the planet can look like shit changing form. a star will shift with atmospheric distortion but because it's only a single point of light instead of a disc, it'll appear to move a little in position but there isn't the same intra-object change.
But have you taken in to account my unique mutant trait; Astigmatism!
ah ok I see what you mean