/sci/ - Science & Math

>>9542664
Distortion from the lens and from atmospheric refraction. The lens on the camera isn't perfect, so it distorts the shape of the basically point light source that a distant star would appear to be from such a small lens. Atmospheric is far less uniform in density and temperature than the camera lens, and further distorts the image. Dust in the air easily discolors the light.

Pic related is best pic of distant star we have. Spoiler: it looks a lot like the sun. Now of course, not all stars look so much like our sun, but besides change in color or size, most likely look basically the same.