Ask Astro: What causes the pattern of diffraction spikes in astronomical images?

The spikes around bright stars in deep images are caused by the way light interacts with the shape of a telescope’s mirrors and the struts holding them.

Diffraction Spikes in Astronomy Pictures – National Radio

Diffraction spikes rotation on Alt-Az telescope

Ask Astro: What causes the pattern of diffraction spikes in

Ask Astro: What causes the pattern of diffraction spikes in

x-bit-astro-imaging: Diffraction spikes attractive and sometimes

Astrophotography

Diffraction Spikes, Yes or No - Beginning Deep Sky Imaging

What is a Diffraction Spike?

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