Why do pictures of stars have 4 cardinal points?

[alantheastronomer]

Yes the spikes are produced before the image gets saturated, but the final result is an extended image which could be confused for a potential cluster member if it wasn't for the spikes...

 

[James Demers]

Top of pops was the usual one as there were always visible studio lights.

The rays in the TV camera images are caused by internal reflection/diffraction off of the lens's iris. Closely related to the telescope images, but of course there are no mirror supports in the TV camera.

 

[pinball1970]

The rays in the TV camera images are caused by internal reflection/diffraction off of the lens's iris. Closely related to the telescope images, but of course there are no mirror supports in the TV camera.

Thanks the guys gave a few examples, I always liked them (spikes) in older 1970s studio shows

 

[sophiecentaur]

Astro telescopes do not have adjustable apertures so the whole length of the optical assembly is circular cross section. That minimizes diffraction effects. Smaller aperture scopes use lenses sothere’s No need for a web to hold a secondary mirror.