resolving power telescope

Question

Angular resolution (Rayleigh) ~ 1.22 λ / D for circular aperture arises from:

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

Even a perfect lens cannot focus light to a geometric point because of the wave nature of light (Diffraction).
- Light passing through a circular aperture (like a telescope lens) forms a diffraction pattern called the **Airy Disk**.
- **Rayleigh Criterion**: Two point sources are just resolved when the central maximum of one pattern falls on the first minimum of the other.
- Smallest resolvable angle: $\Delta 	heta = \frac{1.22 \lambda}{D}$, where $D$ is the diameter of the aperture.

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resolving power telescope

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