Why is magnification defined as the ratio of eye and objective lens resolution?

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SUMMARY

The definition of telescope magnification is clarified as the ratio of the focal lengths of the telescope and the eyepiece, not as the ratio of the resolution powers of the eye and the objective lens. This distinction is critical as resolving power lacks a universally accepted definition without context. The discussion references the physics book by Marcelo Alonso and Edward J. Finn, which provides insights into the geometry of waves related to telescopes. Misunderstandings regarding the definition of magnification and resolving power are addressed, emphasizing the need for precise terminology.

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  • Understanding of telescope components, specifically eyepiece and objective lens
  • Familiarity with focal length concepts in optics
  • Basic knowledge of resolving power in optical systems
  • Access to physics literature, particularly on wave geometry
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  • Research the relationship between focal lengths and magnification in telescopes
  • Study the concept of resolving power in optical systems
  • Explore the geometry of waves as discussed in Marcelo Alonso and Edward J. Finn's physics book
  • Examine definitions of magnification in various optical contexts
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Optics students, telescope manufacturers, amateur astronomers, and anyone interested in the principles of magnification and resolving power in optical systems.

Marketo
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The telescope magnification is given by the measure of the resolution power of the eye divided by the resolution power of the objetive lens. I just want to know why a magnification can be defined as the ratio of these two kinds of resolution, I need a justification of this statement.
 
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xts said:
Where have you found such definition of magnification?
I would also like to see its justification

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnification

Please check The physics book of Marcelo Alonso and Edward J. Finn in the chapter of geometry of waves when talking about telescope
 
Marketo said:
Please check The physics book of Marcelo Alonso and Edward J. Finn in the chapter of geometry of waves when talking about telescope
Ouch - you are sending me to a library having English science textbooks (it had not been translated to my language, so I won't get it in my local library)... Not this week...
 
Marketo said:
The telescope magnification is given by the measure of the resolution power of the eye divided by the resolution power of the objetive lens. I just want to know why a magnification can be defined as the ratio of these two kinds of resolution, I need a justification of this statement.

It is not defined this way, it is defined as the ratio of focal lengths of the telescope and the eyepiece. Resolving power is not a clearly defined concept unless you also state how you define resolving power, and in any case it makes no sense in this context. Either you misunderstood the text and did not look into it any farther, or the text is making some kind of analogy or stating how (I don't know how) the precisely defined number "magnification" can be stood in terms of resolving power of the two components. I also presume you meant "eyepiece" when your wrote "eye".
 

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