Not exactly a space object; what's going on here?

[owlice]

Copyright: Julien Vandermarlière
[attachment=0]bath600.jpg[/attachment][/i]

[Chris Peterson]

This appears to be an image of something made in monochromatic light (most likely through a narrowband filter). That can produce interference fringes (Newton's rings, or something related). I can't tell what the object actually is... I'd guess it's an optical component- a flat, maybe?

[canopia]

I also think this is monochromatic light on an optical surface. It looks like a mirror or lens test with a laser.

Tunç Tezel

[BMAONE23]

Could it be a polarized laser light testing a new primary mirror segment for warping ability to adjust for atmospheric disturbances?

[Ann]

Painful color. Ouch.

Ann

[Chris Peterson]

Painful color. Ouch.

The color is an argument for this being an image of a Ronchi test, or something similar, since this sort of optical testing is very commonly performed around 530nm, where the eye is most sensitive (and therefore the wavelength zone that visual optics tend to be optimized for).

[neufer]

The color is an argument for this being an image of a Ronchi test, or something similar, since this sort of optical testing is very commonly performed around 530nm, where the eye is most sensitive (and therefore the wavelength zone that visual optics tend to be optimized for).

A "Ronchi tester" consists of:

* A light source
* A diffuser
* A Ronchi grating

A Ronchi grating consists of alternate dark and clear stripes. One design is a small frame with several evenly spaced fine wires attached.

Doesn't the TSA have quite a few "Ronchi testers" (; which seems to be grating on some people)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3yaqq9J ... r_embedded[/youtube]

[owlice]

You guys are good! Here's what the imager said about his image:

• This picture is made with my Bath interferometer while testing the 600mm f/d 4 mirror i am making.
  
  May be it can interest you because on this picture we can see an unusual behaviour of the light : light is wave !
  We also can see two brights spots wich are coming from internal reflection in the interferometer : light is also geometrical !
  
  In the past only the geometrical behaviour of the light was used to make astronomie but now the interferometry is more and more used for the professionnal astronome but also for the amateur world (for analyse light coming from space and to check mirror quality)
  
  I think this picture show something wich can represents a part of the past and a part of the future of astronomie.