Telescopes and resolving angles problem

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Thread starter moonman
Start date Oct 25, 2004
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Angles Telescopes

In summary, the resolving power of a telescope is its ability to distinguish between two close objects in the sky, measured in arcseconds. It is determined by the diameter of its objective lens or mirror, as well as atmospheric conditions and optics. The diffraction limit is the theoretical minimum distance between two objects that can be resolved, based on the diameter of the objective lens or mirror and the wavelength of light. Increasing magnification does not always improve resolving power and telescopes have a physical limit to their resolving power, but advancements in technology and larger objective lenses or mirrors can improve their ability to see finer details.

Oct 25, 2004

moonman

Is it possible to determine the smallest angle that can be resolved with a telescope if the only information you're given is the telescope's aperture? If anyone can help me out I'd appreciate it.

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Oct 25, 2004

chroot

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Oct 25, 2004

moonman

thanks alot

1. What is the resolving power of a telescope?

The resolving power of a telescope refers to its ability to distinguish between two objects that are close together in the sky. This is often measured in arcseconds, with a higher number indicating a higher resolving power and therefore a greater ability to see finer details.

2. How is the resolving power of a telescope determined?

The resolving power of a telescope is determined by the diameter of its objective lens or mirror. The larger the diameter, the higher the resolving power. However, atmospheric conditions and the quality of the optics can also affect the resolving power.

3. What is the diffraction limit of a telescope?

The diffraction limit of a telescope is the theoretical minimum distance between two objects that can still be resolved by the telescope. It is determined by the diameter of the objective lens or mirror and the wavelength of light being observed.

4. How does increasing the magnification of a telescope affect the resolving power?

Increasing the magnification of a telescope does not necessarily improve its resolving power. In fact, it can often decrease the image quality and make it more difficult to distinguish fine details. It is important to find a balance between magnification and resolving power.

5. Can telescopes resolve objects that are infinitely small?

No, telescopes have a physical limit to their resolving power due to factors such as atmospheric conditions and the diffraction limit. They cannot resolve objects that are infinitely small, but they can continue to improve their ability to see finer details with advancements in technology and larger objective lenses or mirrors.