Universe
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781319039448
Author: Robert Geller, Roger Freedman, William J. Kaufmann
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Chapter 6, Problem 45Q
To determine
The advantages and disadvantages of using a large telescope on a mountaintop against using a small telescope in Earth’s orbit.
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A space telescope built to get the smallest resolution for radio wavelengths between 100 and 1000 meters. Discuss the pros and cons of this telescope and location. Consider wavelength region and diameter when talking about smallest angular resolution.
Astronauts observing from a space station need a telescope with a resolving power of 0.6 arc second at a wavelength of 530 nm and a magnifying power of 220. Design a telescope to meet their needs.What will its light-gathering power be, compared with a dark-adapted human eye? (Assume that the pupil of your eye can open to a diameter of about 0.8 cm in dark conditions.)(State the necessary primary diameter of the telescope, in m, and the ratio of the focal lengths below.)
You have been asked to compare four proposals for telescopes to be placed in orbit above the blurring effects of the earth’s atmosphere. Rank the proposed telescopes in order of their ability to resolve small details, from best to worst. (i) A radio telescope 100 m in diameter observing at a wavelength of 21 cm; (ii) an optical telescope 2.0 m in diameter observing at a wavelength of 500 nm; (iii) an ultraviolet telescope 1.0 m in diameter observing at a wavelength of 100 nm; (iv) an infrared telescope 2.0 m in diameter observing at a wavelength of 10 mm.
Chapter 6 Solutions
Universe
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Ch. 6 - Prob. 11CCCh. 6 - Prob. 1QCh. 6 - Prob. 2QCh. 6 - Prob. 3QCh. 6 - Prob. 4QCh. 6 - Prob. 5QCh. 6 - Prob. 6QCh. 6 - Prob. 7QCh. 6 - Prob. 8QCh. 6 - Prob. 9QCh. 6 - Prob. 10QCh. 6 - Prob. 11QCh. 6 - Prob. 12QCh. 6 - Prob. 13QCh. 6 - Prob. 14QCh. 6 - Prob. 15QCh. 6 - Prob. 16QCh. 6 - Prob. 17QCh. 6 - Prob. 18QCh. 6 - Prob. 19QCh. 6 - Prob. 20QCh. 6 - Prob. 21QCh. 6 - Prob. 22QCh. 6 - Prob. 23QCh. 6 - Prob. 24QCh. 6 - Prob. 25QCh. 6 - Prob. 26QCh. 6 - Prob. 27QCh. 6 - Prob. 28QCh. 6 - Prob. 29QCh. 6 - Prob. 30QCh. 6 - Prob. 31QCh. 6 - Prob. 32QCh. 6 - Prob. 33QCh. 6 - Prob. 34QCh. 6 - Prob. 35QCh. 6 - Prob. 36QCh. 6 - Prob. 37QCh. 6 - Prob. 38QCh. 6 - Prob. 39QCh. 6 - Prob. 40QCh. 6 - Prob. 41QCh. 6 - Prob. 42QCh. 6 - Prob. 43QCh. 6 - Prob. 44QCh. 6 - Prob. 45Q
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- Theoretically (that is, if seeing were not an issue), the resolution of a telescope is inversely proportional to its diameter. How much better is the resolution of the ALMA when operating at its longest baseline than the resolution of the Arecibo telescope?arrow_forwardH does the resolving power of the 5-rn telescope on Mount Palomar near San Diego compare with that of the 2.5-rn Hubble Space Telescope? Why does the HST generally still outperform the Palomar 5-rn telescope?arrow_forwardWhy are the largest visible-light telescopes in the world made with mirrors rather than lenses?arrow_forward
- When astronomers discuss the apertures of their telescopes, they say bigger is better. Explain why.arrow_forwardThe HST cost about $1.7 billion for construction and $300 million for its shuttle launch, and it costs $250 million per year to operate. If the telescope lasts for 20 years, what is the total cost per year? Per day? If the telescope can be used just 30% of the time for actual observations, what is the cost per hour and per minute for the astronomer’s observing time on this instrument? What is the cost per person in the United States? Was your investment in the Hubble Space telescope worth it?arrow_forwardThe large space telescope that has been placed into an Earth orbit has an aperture diameter of 1.4 meters. What angular resolution will this telescope achieve for visible light of wavelength 2 = 6.5 x 10-7 m? Write your answer in "seconds of arc".arrow_forward
- spy satellite orbiting 410 km above Earth is supposedly capable of counting individual people in a crowd in visual-wavelength images. Assume that the satellite's cameras operate at a wavelength of 550 nm. Assume an average person has a size of 0.6 m as seen from above. Estimate the minimum telescope diameter that the satellite must carry. (Hint: Use The small-angle formula angular diameter (arc seconds) 2.06 105 = linear diameter distance to convert linear size to angular size.)arrow_forwardWhat is the resolving power of a 25-cm (10-in.) telescope at a wavelength of 550 nm (in the middle of the visual band)?arrow_forwardCompare the highest resolution attainable with optical telescopes to the highest resolution attainable with radio telescopes (including interferometers).arrow_forward
- The Chandra X-Ray Observatory must operate in space because X-rays do not penetrate Earth's atmosphere. X-ray telescopes require the use of grazing incidence mirrors. X-rays are too dangerous to be allowed on the ground. It was built by NASA.arrow_forwardAstronauts observing from a space station need a telescope with a resolving power of 0.6 arc second at a wavelength of 530 nm and a magnifying power of 220. Design a telescope to meet their needs. (State the necessary primary diameter of the telescope, in m, and the ratio of the focal lengths below.) What will its light-gathering power be, compared with a dark-adapted human eye? (Assume that the pupil of your eye can open to a diameter of about 0.8 cm in dark conditions.)arrow_forwardHow does the resolving power of a 9 m telescope compare with that of a hubble space telescope?arrow_forward
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