What is it called when a star or candle changes its intensity at random?

Question

Is there a word given to the phenomenon that occurs when the intensity of a candle or star fluctuates at random?

Maybe the candle/star is glittering or twinkling. – Damkerng T. Apr 23 '14 at 19:55 — Damkerng T., Apr 23 '14 at 19:55
Candles flicker. Stars twinkle. – StoneyB on hiatus Apr 23 '14 at 19:58 — StoneyB on hiatus, Apr 23 '14 at 19:58

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 23 '14 at 20:42

6

A star, as seen from Earth, is said to twinkle.

Twinkle, twinkle little star...

A candle will flicker.

I see the candle flicker in the window.

They are somewhat interchangeable but these parings are the most common.

answered Apr 23 '14 at 20:42

DTRT

5

+1 for the most common words, but to add some detail: small points of lights that vary in intensity quickly twinkle (e.g. stars, the skyline of a distant city); lights of all sizes can flicker at all speeds (e.g. matches, campfires, fluorescent lamps, a distant bushfire). Additionally, to sparkle is to emit flashes of bright light, whereas to glimmer is to glow with an unsteady dim light, as of dying coals in a fire. Shimmer and glitter usually indicate reflected light, the former especially from a wet surface and the latter from a faceted one. – choster Apr 23 '14 at 22:56
If you like long words the term for a star is scintillation. – QuentinUK Apr 24 '14 at 00:35

1 Answers1