Lens Flare/Halo: Photographing in Vacuum - Effects

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    Halo
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of photographing or observing a bright light source in a vacuum, specifically focusing on the presence of halos and lens flares. Participants explore whether these phenomena are solely due to lens optics or if other factors contribute.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a halo or lens flares would be visible in a vacuum, considering the absence of scattering effects.
  • Another participant asserts that lens flares originate from the lens itself, while noting that atmospheric effects can also contribute to similar phenomena.
  • A further participant suggests that neglecting lens distortions in a vacuum would imply that only the bright surface of the light source would be visible, without halos.
  • One participant raises a caution about the reliability of human vision, particularly in the context of optical distortions like astigmatism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the visibility of halos and lens flares in a vacuum, with no consensus reached on the contributing factors or the outcomes of the observation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not address specific assumptions about lens quality or the nature of the light source, nor does it resolve the implications of human vision limitations on the observations discussed.

technobot
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I was wondering - if I were to photograph (or look at) a bright source of light in full vaccum, would I see a halo around the light source, or any other lense flares? If so, does it form purely due to the lense optics, or are there some other contributing effects?
 
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Lens flares, as the name implies, are from the lens itself. There are other similar effects seen in the atmosphere due to reflection off dust and or water dropplets, refraction, etc.
 
ok, so if I neglect the lense distortions, and assume a vacuum (hence no scattering), then I should see no halo? Just the bright surface of the light itself?
 
Well, unless you have truly excellent vision (particularly no astigmatism), you can't trust your own eyes either.
 

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