The angular resolution of a radio telescope with a baseline equal to the diameter of Earth is given as 0.001 arcsec. What wavelength is being used for the calculation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The angular resolution (θ) of a telescope with a baseline (B) is given by θ = λ/B, where λ is the wavelength of observation. Rearranging this formula gives λ = Bθ. Substituting the given values, we get λ = (2 × 6.37 × 10^6 m) × (0.001 arcsec × (1 radian/206265 arcsec)) = 0.0487 m = 0.05 m (approximate). Therefore, the wavelength being used for the calculation is 0.05 m, which corresponds to radio waves in the meter wavelength range. The closest choice is option B, 0.05 m.

The Angular Resolution of a Radio Telescope with a Baseline