1. What is Angular Resolution?

Angular resolution is the ability of an imaging system to distinguish small details of an object. It represents the smallest angular separation at which two point sources can be distinguished as separate entities.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the angular resolution equation:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angular resolution (radians)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength of light (meters)
• \( D \) — Diameter of the aperture (meters)
• 1.22 — Constant derived from the Rayleigh criterion

Explanation: The equation shows that resolution improves (smaller θ) with larger apertures and shorter wavelengths.

3. Importance of Angular Resolution

Details: Angular resolution is crucial in astronomy, microscopy, photography, and any field involving imaging systems. It determines how fine details can be resolved.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wavelength and aperture diameter in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. For visible light, typical wavelengths range from 380-700 nanometers (3.8×10⁻⁷ to 7×10⁻⁷ m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is there a 1.22 factor in the equation?
A: The factor 1.22 comes from the Rayleigh criterion for circular apertures, accounting for the diffraction pattern of light.

Q2: How can I improve angular resolution?
A: Either increase the aperture size (D) or use shorter wavelength (λ) radiation.

Q3: What's the angular resolution of the human eye?
A: About 0.0003 radians (1 arcminute) for a pupil diameter of ~5mm and visible light.

Q4: What about for radio telescopes?
A: Radio waves have much longer wavelengths, requiring enormous diameters (like the 300m Arecibo telescope) to achieve good resolution.

Q5: Can atmospheric effects impact resolution?
A: Yes, atmospheric turbulence often limits ground-based optical telescopes to about 0.5-1 arcsecond resolution, regardless of aperture size.