Three things:

1) Diffraction spikes. 4 or 6 point spikes are usually caused by the secondary mirror holder in a reflecting telescope.

2) Add my reccomendation of the Pentax K1000. Great basic camera.

3) Beware of all electronic cameras. If the shutter is held open electrically, time exposures will quickly drain the battery and the camera won't work until you change the battery.

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Any day you wake up on "the right side of the dirt" is a good day.

T. Anderson