The resolution of a telescope is ultimately limited by the diameter of its objec

Question

The resolution of a telescope is ultimately limited by the diameter of its objective lens or mirror. A typical amateur astronomer's telescope may have a 7.0in. -diameter mirror.

A) What is the minimum angular separation (in arc seconds) of two stars that can be resolved with a 7.0in. scope? (Take %u03BB to be at the center of the visible spectrum, about 550 nm, and note that 1 arc sec = 1/3600 %u2218)?

B)What is the minimum distance (in km in between two points on the Moon's surface that can be resolved by a 7.0

Explanation / Answer

According to the Rayleigh criterion (ref.) resolution angle theta = arcsin(1.22 lambda/diameter); for this problem theta = 1.22 lambda/diameter is adequate since theta is tiny.
Diameter = 7*0.0254 = 0.1778 m.
a) Theta = 3.774E-6 rad. (You can get the arc-seconds.)
b) x = theta*distance = 1450.72 m

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.