One important goal of astronomers is to have a telescope inspace that can resolve planets like the earth orbiting other stars. If aplanet orbits its star at a distance of 1.5 * 10^11 m (the radius of theearth’s orbit around the sun) and the telescope has a mirror of diameter8.0 m, how far from the telescope could the star and its planet be if thewavelength used was (a) 690 nm and (b) 1400 nm? Use the Rayleighcriterion and give your answers in light-years (1 ly = 9.46 * 1015 m).

One important goal of astronomers is to have a telescope inspace that can resolve planets like the earth orbiting other stars. If aplanet orbits its star at a distance of 1.5 * 10^11 m (the radius of theearth’s orbit around the sun) and the telescope has a mirror of diameter8.0 m, how far from the telescope could the star and its planet be if thewavelength used was (a) 690 nm and (b) 1400 nm? Use the Rayleighcriterion and give your answers in light-years (1 ly = 9.46 * 1015 m).

University Physics Volume 3

17th Edition

ISBN:9781938168185

Author:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny

Publisher:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny

Chapter4: Diffraction

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 88AP: A spy satellite is reputed to be able to resolve objects 10. cm apart while operating 197 km above...

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