Home
Back
Telescope Resolution Formula:
| From: | To: |
The angular resolution of a telescope is its ability to distinguish small details of an observed object. It represents the smallest angle between two point sources that can be distinguished as separate entities.
The calculator uses the telescope resolution formula:
Where:
Explanation: The resolution improves (smaller angle) with larger aperture and shorter wavelengths. This is known as the diffraction limit.
Details: Understanding a telescope's resolution helps astronomers determine what features can be observed on celestial objects and compare the capabilities of different telescopes.
Tips: Enter the observation wavelength in meters (e.g., 550 nm = 0.00000055 m) and the telescope aperture diameter in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is wavelength important in resolution?
A: Shorter wavelengths allow better resolution. This is why ultraviolet telescopes can see finer details than infrared telescopes of the same size.
Q2: What's a typical resolution for amateur telescopes?
A: A 200mm (0.2m) telescope observing visible light (500nm) has about 0.69 arcseconds resolution.
Q3: Can atmospheric conditions affect resolution?
A: Yes, atmospheric turbulence (seeing) often limits practical resolution to 0.5-2 arcseconds from Earth's surface, regardless of telescope size.
Q4: How does this relate to the Hubble Space Telescope?
A: Hubble's 2.4m aperture gives it a theoretical resolution of about 0.05 arcseconds for visible light, which it nearly achieves due to being above the atmosphere.
Q5: What's the resolution limit of the human eye?
A: The human eye (about 7mm aperture) has a resolution of about 60 arcseconds for daylight vision.