410
Stars (mander.xyz)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[–] 76 points 2 years ago (1 child)

Not really a bad question. The diffraction spikes have been corrected for.

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  • [–] 29 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    Honest question: Do people think stars look like the star shape because of diffraction spikes in refractor telescopes? I thought the star shape pre-dated any refractor telescope. And I don't know how many people would have seen refractor images back in the days to make it so culturally engrained?

    The post-processing used in astronomical observations is a really interesting topic. I'm following the debate around the black hole images with great interest. I don't know enough about the specifics to have an opinion, but it is very interesting and has overlap with some of the things I do for work.

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  • [–] 23 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    People have indeed thought this before telescopes. You'll most likely see diffraction patterns around bright lights because of eyelashes and other imperfections, probably different for each eye but the same for all lights (technically, wavelength also matters but not really on this scale).

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Thought that is how they look like or represented them as such in art?

    My understanding was that most understood them as light sources, very similar to how we do, but rather then cosmic body they saw angels or whatever fits their religious framework.

    Its not like people where unaccustomed to the night sky, but maybe deeper psychological interpretation plays a role.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago

    They look star-shaped because of refraction on the atmosphere and in our eyes. Those telescopes just have way larger relative distortions because they do have larger distortions and can see smaller things.

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    • [–] 18 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

    It's having a bad hair day, give it a rest!

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  • [–] 13 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    It's always day if you're a star. Or night?

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Have you looked at its other side?

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    • [–] 18 points 2 years ago

    Why star, if not star shaped?

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    [–] 15 points 2 years ago

    Well of course, because it's spinning too fast. So you don't see the star shape, only the blurry circle!

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    [–] 12 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    A smart and wise person uses this opportunity to teach. A smug asshole uses this opportunity to scoff.

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    • [–] 9 points 2 years ago

    Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!

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    [–] 5 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

    From what angle would you look at the traditional star shape and see a circle?

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    • [–] 3 points 2 years ago

    Are we sure it's not a blurry picture of a slice of chorizo?

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    [–] 2 points 2 years ago

    What did I read? Oh boy...

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    [–] 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

    Looks like it's holding a big baby. Awwww!

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    [–] 2 points 2 years ago

    I'll take you for a ride. A ride on a meteorite.

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