When you look at a bright light through a window (or lense), what causes that light to appear to give off a star-like glare?
I've been searching the internet for the answer, but I haven't found much because I am not quite sure what that phenomenon is called. And so far, all of the keywords I have tried using haven't provided much help.
The only thing I really know about it is that, in photography, if you take a picture of a bright light using a small aperture, you can capture this effect. However, I noticed that you can also observe this effect when looking at a bright light through a window (specifically a windshield).
I want to figure out how/why this happens because I am trying to work out an art project (involving glass panels) in which I may want to intentionally use this effect.
Any help would be appreciated. I think that perhaps microscopic imperfections in the glass may have something to do with it, but I am not sure.
Thanks!
2007-12-27
08:58:36
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2 answers
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asked by
Anonymous
in
Science & Mathematics
➔ Other - Science