This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: Briefly explain diffraction fringes. What will be an ideal ... (Read 42 times)

Pea0909berry

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 573
Briefly explain diffraction fringes.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Briefly explain the importance of adaptive optics and interferometry.
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

tsternbergh47

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 311
Answer to Question 1

One consequence of the wavelike nature of light is that there is an inevitable small blurring called a diffraction fringe around every point of light in the image, and you cannot see any detail smaller than the fringe. Astronomers can't eliminate diffraction fringes, but the fringes are smaller in larger telescopes, and that means they have better resolving power and can reveal finer detail.

Answer to Question 2

A telescope performs best on a high mountaintop where the air is thin and steady, but even at good sites atmospheric turbulence spreads star images into blobs 0.5 to 1 arc seconds in diameter. That situation can be improved by a difficult and expensive technique called adaptive optics, in which rapid computer calculations adjust the telescope optics and partly compensate for seeing distortions. This limitation on the amount of information in an image is related to the limitation on the accuracy of a measurement. All measurements have some built-in uncertainty, and scientists must learn to work within those limitations.One way to improve resolving power is to connect two or more telescopes in an interferometer, which has a resolving power equal to that of a telescope as large as the maximum separation between the individual telescopes. Modern technology has allowed astronomers to connect optical telescopes to form interferometers with very high resolution.



Pea0909berry

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 573

tsternbergh47

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 311
You're welcome



 

Did you know?

In inpatient settings, adverse drug events account for an estimated one in three of all hospital adverse events. They affect approximately 2 million hospital stays every year, and prolong hospital stays by between one and five days.

Did you know?

Street names for barbiturates include reds, red devils, yellow jackets, blue heavens, Christmas trees, and rainbows. They are commonly referred to as downers.

Did you know?

Malaria mortality rates are falling. Increased malaria prevention and control measures have greatly improved these rates. Since 2000, malaria mortality rates have fallen globally by 60% among all age groups, and by 65% among children under age 5.

Did you know?

If you could remove all of your skin, it would weigh up to 5 pounds.

Did you know?

Famous people who died from poisoning or drug overdose include, Adolf Hitler, Socrates, Juan Ponce de Leon, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, and John Belushi.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library