A binary star system in the constellation orion has an angular separation of 10-5 rad. if the wavelength of the light from the system is 500 nm, what is the smallest aperture (diameter) telescope that can just resolve two stars?

Question

Physics

Elise Mendoza

27 December, 15:43

A binary star system in the constellation orion has an angular separation of 10-5 rad. if the wavelength of the light from the system is 500 nm, what is the smallest aperture (diameter) telescope that can just resolve two stars?

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Rylee Mcmahon · Answer 1

The answer is: Diameter = d = 6.1 cm

Explanation:

Angular separation between the two stars = Q = 10^-5 rad.

Wavelength = λ = 500 * 10^-9 m

The smallest diameter = d = ?

As Q = 1.22 * (λ / d)

From this

d = 1.22 * (λ/Q) - - - (1)

Plug in the value in (1):

(1) = > d = 1.22 * ((500*10^-9) / 10^-5))

d = 0.061 m

d = 6.1 cm