TheTelescope

The basic function of every telescope is to magnify the object in view. The higher the magnification, the bigger the object appears to us. But aside from magnification, another function we need to consider in selecting a telescope is its resolution. Just like in televisions where the newer ones produce a better image as compared to the older types that contain lines and poor image details, telescopes work in the same way. Telescopes that have a higher resolution give us a sharper image of the object that we are viewing. But it is important to note that resolution is not in any way related to magnification. So, no matter how close you look at an object, the resolution stays the same.

What affects a telescope’s resolution?

The main factor that affects a telescope’s resolution is the wavelength of light present when viewing an object. A good key in getting a good resolution is by capturing more light waves whenever you take a peek on a particular object from a key distance. Another factor to be considered is the size of the telescope lens. Bigger objectives can gather more light, thus resulting in more light waves captured, and therefore a better resolution is produced.

Formula for resolution

A telescope’s resolution can be determined by knowing the relationship between the diameter of the telescope lens and the wavelength of the light gathered. This can be done by dividing the diameter of the telescope lens by the wavelength of the light captured by the objective. Multiply the result by 252,000. The product derived from this equation is in arc seconds.

Resolution= 252,000 x (wavelength) / (diameter)

Take note that the larger the telescope objective, the lower the resolution is in arc seconds. And the lower the resolution, the better you can view the object. This only means that you can view the object with less lines and that the image is sharper, clearer, and more detailed.

Other Factors that affect Telescope Resolution

Aside from the amount of light captured by the telescope objective, other factors to be considered in defining the telescope’s resolution are atmospheric conditions, and the quality of the telescope. Atmospheric conditions are important mainly because an unstable atmosphere can cause a blurry image on the telescope. This is due to the unsteady activities happening in the sky, such as sudden cloud formations and wind activities. When a low amount of light is gathered, the lower resolving power will be produced by the telescope.

Meanwhile, the quality of the telescope also plays a crucial role in getting a high resolution. High quality telescopes with precision made optics are more able to acquire good information and thus produce a better of the image you are viewing. Lower quality telescopes meanwhile are more prone to producing distorted images and thus provide you with lesser resolution.

Resolution is far more important than magnitude, although only a few people realize this. Resolution essentially determines the sharpness of the image you see, and this is basically the reason why larger telescopes recommended for astronomical viewing over their smaller, lower-resolution counterparts.