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Why does a single radio telescope have poorer angular resolution than a large optical telescope?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
They are forming a picture based on sound waves arriving from a target in space, not an actual visual picture. They work better for determining what types of radiation is being emitted by the extraterrestrial object and conclusions can be made about it's makeup based on past data collected Check out the link provided for more information. Answer
Resolution on a telescope is determined by the wavelength of the light they use. The smaller the wavelength the better the resolution. The wavelength of radio waves can vary from a couple of metres to several kilometers long, so they do not give a clear image. Also they are forming a picture based on radio waves coming from a target many lightyears away, so there is often a big margin of error.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe angular resolution of any scope depends on its aperture measured in wavelengths
of the signal it's trying to resolve.
For comparison, pick one of the many signals that radio telescopes are used for ...
the H2 spin transition at 1420 MHz ... and one of the many signals that optical scopes
are used for ... red light.
Wavelength of 1420 MHz = 21.13 cm
Wavelength of red light = 0.00007 cm
Ratio of wavelengths = 301,857
So ... in order to provide the same angular resolution as a 2-inch optical scope,
a radio telescope would need a dish about 9.5 miles in diameter.
Does that help clarify the picture ?
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