Question

The resolving power of a telescope is defined as:

Options

• The ability to magnify distant objects angularly

• The ability to produce an erect final image

• The ability to gather maximum light from celestial bodies

• The ability to produce distinct images of two closely spaced objects

Answer 1

Resolving power is the ability to produce distinct images of two closely spaced objects. It is the inverse of the angular separation between two just-resolvable objects, so a smaller angular separation corresponds to a higher resolving power.