Consider two future observatories in space.Observatory X consists of a single 50-meter telescope.Observatory Y is an interferometer consisting of five 10-meter telescopes,spread out over a region 100 meters across.Which observatory can detect dimmer stars,and which one can see more detail in its images? (Assume all else is equal,such as quality of optics,types of instruments,and so on. )
A)Observatory X can detect dimmer stars and Observatory Y reveals more detail in images.
B)Observatory Y can detect dimmer stars and Observatory X reveals more detail in images.
C)Observatory X both detects dimmer stars and reveals more detail in images.
D)Observatory Y both detects dimmer stars and reveals more detail in images.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ability to detect dimmer stars is directly related to the collecting area of the telescope, and a single 50-meter telescope has a larger collecting area than a 10-meter telescope. Therefore, Observatory X can detect dimmer stars. The ability to see more detail, or the resolving power, is greater for telescopes that are spread out over a larger area, as in an interferometer. Thus, Observatory Y, with its telescopes spread out over 100 meters, can see more detail in its images.

Consider Two Future Observatories in Space