Resolving power: A radio telescope 200 m in diameter is used to investigate sources emitting a 21-cm wavelength wave. What is the minimum angular separation of the sources that can be resolved by this system?
A) 0.073°
B) 0.030°
C) 0.0013°
D) 0.154°
E) 0.0026°

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Rayleigh criterion for the minimum angular separation of two sources that can be resolved by a telescope is given by:θ = 1.22 * (λ/D)where θ is the minimum angular separation, λ is the wavelength of the wave, and D is the diameter of the telescope.In this case, λ = 21 cm = 0.21 m and D = 200 m. Substituting these values into the equation, we get:θ = 1.22 * (0.21 m / 200 m) = 0.0013°Therefore, the minimum angular separation of the sources that can be resolved by this system is 0.0013°.

Resolving Power: a Radio Telescope 200 M in Diameter Is