Question

What is the minimum diameter mirror on a telescope that would allow you to see details as small as 5.00 km on the moon some 384,000 km away? Assume an average wavelength of 550 nm for the light received.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Resolving power of telescope

= 1.22 λ / D radian

D is diameter of telescope and λ is wave length of light

This resolving power is in radian

required R .P = 5 / 384000

So

1.22 λ / D = 5 / 384000

D = (1.22 λ x 384000) / 5

= 93696 x λ

= 93696 x 550 x 10⁻⁹

= .0515 m

5.15 cm