The angular resolution of a ground-based telescope (without adaptive optics) is typically:
A) 30 arcsec
B) 1 arcmin
C) 10 arcsec
D) 1 arcsec
E) 30 arcmin

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The angular resolution of a ground-based telescope without adaptive optics is typically around 1 arcsecond. This is due to the effects of atmospheric turbulence which causes the stars to appear to "twinkle" or undergo scintillation. Adaptive optics can be used to correct for these effects and improve the angular resolution, but without it, the resolution is limited to around 1 arcsecond. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

The Angular Resolution of a Ground-Based Telescope (Without Adaptive Optics)