Why Can’t We See the Stars While Traveling at Night on a Plane?

In places where there is not much air pollution, when you lift your head towards the night sky, you will encounter a fascinating view; stars… Well nothing Have you tried to see the stars from the plane window while traveling at night? Or do you remember ever seeing one?

Really, what could be the reason why we can never see the stars when looking from the plane? Since they are miles away, shouldn’t there be much difference in seeing on land and in the air?

The lighting inside the plane is one reason.

Think about your own home. If the light is on inside and it’s dark outside you can’t see much isn’t it? Astrophysicist Ethan Siegel explains this situation as follows:

“A person looking in from outside your house can see everything, but in order for you to see outside, you have to turn off the lights inside your house. To put it as a general rule; Where you look should be darker than where you look. “So if the planes didn’t have lights, you could see the sky more clearly.”

Of course, this explanation sounds logical, but it cannot be the only reason why we cannot see the stars.

There is a phenomenon called “sky glow”. This means; Artificial lighting in cities is so abundant that the sky becomes bright and sparkling. It’s a kind of light pollution.

This because of light pollution, The possibility of us not being able to see the stars increases even more. Still, you’re not satisfied with these answers, right? Lets continue.

The Moon also has a hand in this.

Another reason why we cannot see the stars while traveling by plane at night is the Moon. the sky, Enough to destroy the shine of distant stars It can enlighten. Of course, this situation is usually much more evident at times such as the full moon.

The angle at which we sit on the plane is also undeniable.

Even if we grabbed the window seat, the cabin’s tiny window provided a very limited field of view. Even if we try to bend over and look up exactly the viewing angle we want It is almost impossible to reach.

So even if we don’t count other factors looking at the stars from where we sit and from the small window of the plane It may not be physically possible.

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