- #1
dimensionless
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I have two stars that are separated by an angle of 3x10^5 radians. They are both emitting monochromatic light on 600nm. I would like to find the diameter of the smallest telescope that can resolve the two stars.
For the angular limit of resolution I have
[tex]
\Delta \theta = \frac{1.22 \lambda}{D}
[/tex]
Where D is the diameter of the lens.
Rearranging I get
[tex]
D = \frac{1.22 \lambda}{\Delta\theta}=\frac{1.22*600*10^{-9}}{3*10^{-5}} = 2.44 cm
[/tex]
I'm quite sure that the answer is 2.5 cm. Where am I going wrong? Where does the 1.22 come from?
For the angular limit of resolution I have
[tex]
\Delta \theta = \frac{1.22 \lambda}{D}
[/tex]
Where D is the diameter of the lens.
Rearranging I get
[tex]
D = \frac{1.22 \lambda}{\Delta\theta}=\frac{1.22*600*10^{-9}}{3*10^{-5}} = 2.44 cm
[/tex]
I'm quite sure that the answer is 2.5 cm. Where am I going wrong? Where does the 1.22 come from?