Lights appear to flash from far away-For Fun! [ENDORSED]

[705989065]

Hello!

I've been observing the view from my window, and I couldn't help but notice that the city lights appear to blink. But when I look at the lights in my own dorm room they don't blink, and heaven knows how distracting it would be if our lights were set to blink.

So it got me thinking... why is it that viewed from far away city lights appear to flash and blink? But up close there appears to be steady stream of light?

Does that have something to do with particles fundamentally not being able to stay still, as described in the quantum world and if we discuss light as particles and not waves? But if so, how come lights appear to blink from far away and not up close?

Just thinking out loud... any insights or scientific articles i could read?

[Chem_Mod]

Hi Carolina,

Lights appearing to flicker in the distance is due to thermal gradients in the air distorting the light.
The lights in the distance are not actually flickering.

This topic does not apply to Chem 14A.