Resolving Power: a 10-Inch Telescope (25

question 33

Multiple Choice

Resolving power: A 10-inch telescope (25.4 cm in diameter) is used to determine if what appears to be one star is actually two stars. Stars are so far away that they are essentially point sources. How close (in angle) can the two stars be and still be resolved by this telescope if it is focusing light of wavelength of 550 nm? (Consider only the limitation due to diffraction.)

• A) 4.2 × 10^-8 degree
• B) 2.6 × 10^-6 degree
• C) 3.0 × 10^-4 degree
• D) 1.5 × 10^-4 degree
• E) 6.6 × 10^-8 degree

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