An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. Rapid variation in the brightness, wavelength, and mean position of stars caused by turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere.
   

2. In radio astronomy, rapid fluctuations in the detected intensity of radiation from compact cosmic radio sources due to disturbances in ionized gas through which the radiation has passed. → interstellar scintillation.

Etymology (EN): From L. scintillationem (nominative scintillatio),
from scintillatus p.p. of scintillare “to send out sparks, to flash,” from
scintilla “particle of fire, spark.”

Etymology (PE): Susu, from su “light,” related to suz “burning,” present stem of suxtan; Mid.Pers. sôxtan, sôzidan “to burn,” Av. base saoc- “to burn, inflame” sūcā- “brilliance,” upa.suxta- “inflamed;” cf. Skt. śoc- “to light, glow, burn,” śocati “burns,”
śoka- “light, flame;” PIE base *(s)keuk- “to shine.”