by NoelC » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:26 am
The APOD image itself doesn't resolve these bright stars into multiples - I even examined the diffraction spikes closely to see if they are doubled; they are not. The exposure is simply too deep and the multiple stars are lost in the flare. I finally did find a link to a (much less impressive otherwise) Hubble image that actually resolves WR25 into two stars:
http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/ht ... 0822c.html
Also, it's worth noting that the linked (large) JPEG image is saved with a color profile (Lstar-RGB) that is not sRGB, meaning most folks won't see the (false) colors exactly as intended, since Internet Explorer is not a color-managed application. May I respectfully suggest that the APOD editors convert to sRGB before saving the images for best presentation.
By the way, I never realized that when I drive under the speed limit all those folks in the city are making Heavenly gestures at me!
NASA/ESA describe this as a "defiant" finger.
-Noel
The APOD image itself doesn't resolve these bright stars into multiples - I even examined the diffraction spikes closely to see if they are doubled; they are not. The exposure is simply too deep and the multiple stars are lost in the flare. I finally did find a link to a (much less impressive otherwise) Hubble image that actually resolves WR25 into two stars: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/html/heic0822c.html
Also, it's worth noting that the linked (large) JPEG image is saved with a color profile (Lstar-RGB) that is not sRGB, meaning most folks won't see the (false) colors exactly as intended, since Internet Explorer is not a color-managed application. May I respectfully suggest that the APOD editors convert to sRGB before saving the images for best presentation.
By the way, I never realized that when I drive under the speed limit all those folks in the city are making Heavenly gestures at me! :) NASA/ESA describe this as a "defiant" finger. :)
[img]http://forum.ourdarkskies.com/gallery_images/1225328210/gallery_131_16_18469.jpg[/img]
-Noel