The image quality of most optical telescopes is limited by differential atmospheric refraction experienced by light as it passes through the Earth's atmosphere.

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Differential atmospheric refraction is a phenomenon that affects the quality of images produced by optical telescopes. The Earth's atmosphere is not completely uniform, which means that light passing through it is refracted differently at different altitudes and temperatures, causing distortion and blurring in the image. This is a major limiting factor in the resolution and clarity of most ground-based telescopes.

The Image Quality of Most Optical Telescopes Is Limited by Differential