Why are Radio Telescopes less detailed?

In summary, the resolution of pictures from radio antennae is limited by the diffraction limit and the diffuse nature of radio waves. However, with Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), which uses the Earth's rotation and computer technology, it is possible to create a virtual telescope that can capture more detailed images. This principle works for radio waves because they have a longer wavelength, allowing for the synchronization of measurements and reconstruction of the wave. For visible light, this is not possible without physically combining light rays, making it difficult to create an artificial telescope the size of the Earth.
  • #1
Vorde
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In my experience pictures from radio antennae are far less accurate than pictures from other areas of the EMR spectrum, why is this?
 
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  • #2
Vorde said:
In my experience pictures from radio antennae are far less accurate than pictures from other areas of the EMR spectrum, why is this?

For single telescopes the issue is diffraction limits. The minimum resolution that you can see is on the order of (wavelength) / (telescope size), and since radio telescopes have long wavelengths, you get less resolution.

The other issue is that radio waves often come from objects that are more diffuse.

Now things are very different for VLBI. With VLBI you use the rotation of the Earth and computers to create an artificial telescope that can be the size of the earth. In that situation, you can get pictures that are much more detailed than you have in visible.
 
  • #3
twofish-quant said:
Now things are very different for VLBI. With VLBI you use the rotation of the Earth and computers to create an artificial telescope that can be the size of the earth. In that situation, you can get pictures that are much more detailed than you have in visible.
Why does the principle behind VBLI work for radio but not for visible?

I'm thinking it has something to do with the "I"...
 
  • #4
twofish is correct, it has to do with wavelength. A radio telescope 'lens' is need only be corrected to within a few millimeters. That is why they can be made so large.
 
  • #5
DaveC426913 said:
Why does the principle behind VBLI work for radio but not for visible?

Because with radio waves you can see the actual shape of the "wave". You can track exactly when the peak of the wave hits the Earth which is going to be different for different parts of the earth. Once you synchronize these measurements with an atomic clock, you can work back and electronically reconstruct the wave as it hits the earth.

For light, you can't record phase information, so you have to physically combine light rays. This means that you can't build an artificial telescope the size of the earth.
 

1. Why are radio telescopes less detailed than optical telescopes?

Radio telescopes are less detailed than optical telescopes because radio waves have longer wavelengths compared to visible light. This means that the resolution of a radio telescope is lower, making it less detailed.

2. Can radio telescopes produce high-quality images like optical telescopes?

No, radio telescopes cannot produce high-quality images like optical telescopes due to their longer wavelengths. The images produced by radio telescopes are often blurred and less detailed.

3. What factors affect the level of detail in radio telescope images?

The main factors that affect the level of detail in radio telescope images are the size and sensitivity of the telescope, as well as the frequency of the radio waves being observed. A larger and more sensitive telescope can capture more precise details, while higher frequency waves can also improve the resolution.

4. Are there any advantages to using radio telescopes despite their lower level of detail?

Yes, there are several advantages to using radio telescopes. They can detect and study objects that are invisible or difficult to observe with optical telescopes, such as gas and dust clouds, radio galaxies, and pulsars. They are also less affected by interference from light pollution or atmospheric conditions.

5. Is there ongoing research to improve the level of detail in radio telescope images?

Yes, there is ongoing research to improve the level of detail in radio telescope images. One approach is to use multiple telescopes in an array, which can increase the resolution and produce more detailed images. Another method is to develop new technologies and techniques, such as using advanced data processing algorithms, to enhance the quality of the images captured by radio telescopes.

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