What Is This Object? (5.5 MB Image Included)

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The discussion revolves around identifying an ambiguous object captured in a photograph, with participants speculating on its nature. Initial suggestions include a meteorite or comet, but many participants express skepticism about these possibilities, citing the object's appearance and the lack of a clear context. Some believe it resembles a microscopic object or a common item like a cigarette or a matchstick, while others suggest it could be a piece of felt or a probe tip under magnification. The conversation highlights the importance of context in making accurate identifications, as many participants feel that without additional information, it's challenging to determine the object's true nature. The image's quality and characteristics, such as the presence of a black trail and the object's spherical shape, are also discussed, with some participants proposing that it may not be of astronomical origin. Overall, the thread emphasizes the need for clarity and context in identifying unusual objects in photographs.
  • #31
> Well, come on, let's be frank... You did post it in
> the astronomy forum. But, good luck trying to
> figure this out.

No I didn't, it was probably moved here. Actually, I did not even realize that it was moved until you mentioned it. In my opinion, it shouldn't be here because the object might not be an astronomical object. I am rather surprised that a mod would make such an assumption and thus move the thread.

Can a mod please move this back to the General forum?
 
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  • #32
KrisOhn said:
It's a space station!

I'm sorry, I had to.

"That's a fully operational battle station!"

Come on man!
 
  • #33
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #34
dotancohen said:
> Well, come on, let's be frank... You did post it in
> the astronomy forum. But, good luck trying to
> figure this out.

No I didn't, it was probably moved here. Actually, I did not even realize that it was moved until you mentioned it. In my opinion, it shouldn't be here because the object might not be an astronomical object. I am rather surprised that a mod would make such an assumption and thus move the thread.

Can a mod please move this back to the General forum?
Sorry, the thread was mistakenly moved, and then that threw everyone off...moving back to GD.
 
  • #35
Here is is, cropped to maintain full resolution. I also tried a histogram stretch to bring out dim details and there is nothing else there. The photo is greyscale - there is no color in it, but that doesn't mean the object photographed is black and white. What people assumed to be stars in the background appear to just be ccd read noise from a long exposure.

One possibility I see: a lit cigarette.
 

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  • #36
It looks like a matchstick to me.
 
  • #38
dotancohen, did you retrieve this as an image from a website? If so, the original file name might help.
 
  • #39
It looks to me like a cotton ball on a black and dusty surface photographed with a flash fired from the right side (causing the 'black trail').
 
  • #40
No, I got the photo from the original photographer. I think but am not sure that it was shot in raw and converted to tif. If that's important I can ask.
 
  • #41
I know, it is some kind of science or abnormal psychology experiment, right ? And we are your experimental audience.

I will sit back then with my popcorn and watch, good luck, everyone...

Rhody... :devil:
 
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  • #42
Pretty much, rhody!

It is some sciencey thing, and when I couldn't figure out what it is I said that I know a community who _could_ figure it out. I have faith that someone here might be familiar with this or something like it.
 
  • #43
russ_watters said:
Here is is, cropped to maintain full resolution. I also tried a histogram stretch to bring out dim details and there is nothing else there. The photo is greyscale - there is no color in it, but that doesn't mean the object photographed is black and white. What people assumed to be stars in the background appear to just be ccd read noise from a long exposure.

One possibility I see: a lit cigarette.

Lit cigarettes aren't usually rounded on the end. Depending on how fast the person is smoking the cigarette, they often burn to a point on the lit end.

It's hard to tell whether or not the object is under magnification. Its imperfections seem to be exaggerated (which may indicate magnification). It could be a piece of felt on the end of something. Felt has a similar texture to the object in the picture.

Is it a swab of some sort? It almost looks like a type of q-tip.
 
  • #44
my guess is some kind of microscopy of a probe tip. the probe is elevated slightly at the tip wrt to the base, and the illumination is from the right.
 
  • #45
post any reference!
 
  • #46
It is some drop in a PIV experiment. The supposed "stars" are glass tracer particles.
 
  • #47
MotoH said:
"That's a fully operational battle station!"

Come on man!

MotoH said:
The person I quoted misquoted star wars, and I was correcting him. which is one of the 7 deadly sins.

Man! What Star Wars did you watch?! The proper quote is the one I said, 'That's no moon, it's a space station.' - Said by Obi Wan

Time and movie:
Star Wars Episode IV (A New Hope) - 1:01:49
 
  • #48
russ_watters said:
Here is is, cropped to maintain full resolution. I also tried a histogram stretch to bring out dim details and there is nothing else there. The photo is greyscale - there is no color in it, but that doesn't mean the object photographed is black and white. What people assumed to be stars in the background appear to just be ccd read noise from a long exposure.

One possibility I see: a lit cigarette.

Yeah I see that as a possibility.

It can't be a match, because a match has a bulb at the end of it. This is cylindrical the whole way up, then the top is rounded. A cigarette is the closet thing I can think of that looks like that. The ratios look right. The only problem I have is what someone else mentioned, that a cigarette doesn't usually burn that evenly, and will usually have flakes, so I don't think it would look that smooth. Not to mention you'd have the smoke trail coming off of it.

It definitely has it's own light source, and it's a smooth cylinder all the way to the top with a rounded tip... Maybe a light diode? Like those things you can get at a carnival with all of the acrylic pieces coming out of it... Kind of like a fiber optic wire with lights inside of it. Can't remember what they're called... Looks like one of those in black and white and photographed up close, with the contrast and brightness exaggerated in the pic (which you can do on the camera itself. So even if it's the original pic, they can still edit that stuff in the camera itself before the picture is even taken).
 
  • #49
Hmmm, a possibility that just came into my head is a chalked pool cue tip, with chalk dust around it.
 

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