Final answer:
Diffraction limits telescope resolution by causing light to spread out and blur the image when passing through a lens or aperture, an effect inherent to the wave nature of light.
Step-by-step explanation:
The wave properties of light can limit telescope resolution due to the phenomenon known as diffraction. Diffraction occurs when light spreads out after passing through a lens or an aperture, causing the image to appear blurry. This effect is particularly noticeable when the interacting objects, such as the lens or primary mirror of a telescope, have sizes on the order of the wavelength of light. Therefore, due to the finite diameter (denoted as D) of a telescope's primary mirror or lens, diffraction sets a fundamental limit to the resolution these instruments can achieve. Effects like chromatic aberration in refracting telescopes, due to the wavelength-dependent optical properties of glass, can further reduce image clarity.