Apodizing Phase Plate Mounted (IMAGE)

University of Arizona

Apodizing Phase Plate Mounted

Caption

The Apodizing Phase Plate is manufactured in a process called diamond turning. In a phonograph’s fashion, a diamond bit engraves grooves at precisely calculated positions into a rotating glass blank. The resulting optic shows only a subtle effect to the eye, but has a big effect on the starlight halo. Shown here is an earlier version now in use at the an observatory on Mount Hopkins, Ariz.

Credit

University of Arizona

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