Assume that Rayleigh's criterion gives the limit of resolution of an astronaut's eye looking down on Earth's surface from a typical space shuttle altitude of 428 km. (a) Under that idealized assumption, estimate the smallest linear width on Earth's surface that the astronaut can resolve. Take the astronaut's pupil diameter to be 6 mm and the wavelength of visible light to be 540 nm. (b) Can the astronaut resolve the Great Wall of China (the figure below), which is more than 3000 km long, 5 to 10 m thick at its base, 4 m thick at its top, and 8 m in height? (c) Would the astronaut be able to resolve any unmistakable sign of intelligent life on Earth's surface?
Assume that Rayleigh's criterion gives the limit of resolution of an astronaut's eye looking down on Earth's surface from a typical space shuttle altitude of 428 km. (a) Under that idealized assumption, estimate the smallest linear width on Earth's surface that the astronaut can resolve. Take the astronaut's pupil diameter to be 6 mm and the wavelength of visible light to be 540 nm. (b) Can the astronaut resolve the Great Wall of China (the figure below), which is more than 3000 km long, 5 to 10 m thick at its base, 4 m thick at its top, and 8 m in height? (c) Would the astronaut be able to resolve any unmistakable sign of intelligent life on Earth's surface?
University Physics Volume 3
17th Edition
ISBN:9781938168185
Author:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny
Chapter4: Diffraction
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 86AP: How far apart must two objects be on the moon to be distinguishable by eye if only the diffraction...
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9781938168185
Author:
William Moebs, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:
OpenStax