Problem 19.33

Question

Two light bulbs are 1.0 m apart.


Part A -

From what distance can these light bulbs be marginally resolved by a small telescope with a 3.0cm -diameter objective lens? Assume that the lens is limited only by diffraction and wavelenght = 600nm .

Express your answer using two significant figures.

Answer 1

The Rayleigh resolution used for telescopes is

1.22 (lambda)/D = limiting angle
= 2.44*10^-5 radians
= separation/X
= 1 meter/X

Solve for X

X = 40 km