Starship Asterisk*

I've lived in lower New York State most of my life, and I've only ever seen the Milky Way once, driving on an unlit highway in south-western WV, at about 2AM. I stuck my head fully out the window, looking straight up, and told my friend to "Pull over! I can see the Milky Way!" But when we ...

Vincent,

I assumed the diffraction spikes were caused by stars that are within our galaxy, and therefore closer and brighter. I've seen other images like this, and that has been the explanation in the past. I have no idea if I'm right, however!