Two stars 15 light-years away are barely resolved by a 75 cmcm (mirror diameter) telescope. 1ly=9.461×10^15 m
How far apart are the stars? Assume λλ = 550 nm and that the resolution is limited by diffraction.
Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.
This is based on Rayleigh criteria
= 1.22 / D
where D is mirror diameter
= 1.22 * 550e-9 / 0.75
= 8.946e-7 radians
The distance 'd' between two objects a distance x away and separated by an angle is d = x
so,
d = 15 * 9.461e15 * 8.946e-7
d = 1.27e11 meters
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