Lights twinkling

[pjbpr1]

I was out the other night in the countryside, and I was looking out and could see all the nearby towns, but all the lights were flickering... any idea why?

[fo3nix]

Atmospheric effects.

[Mortartube]

Often caused by heat haze rising from the earth as it cools down at night. Much like the distrotion caused whilst looking at something above the flames of a bonfire.

The reverse can be true and an air frost containing falling ice crystals can do the same thing in cold weather, although cold air usually produces a more stable image than warm air.