[ATM] Difraction Spikes

[Michael Coslo]

On Oct 30, 2009, at 12:23 AM, Jack Swaton @ Starry Host wrote:

> Do diffraction spikes actually blur the object causing them? For  
> instance,
> is the view of Jupiter less sharp because of the spikes or the  
> thickness of
> the spikes?

They tend to lower the contrast of the image, mostly through light  
scattering. And humans tend to interpret lower contrast as less sharp.

-73 de Mike N3LI -