Telescopes

Why we use telescopes and how they work

Light

• Wave AND particle

• Is a disturbance of electromagnetic fields

  • AKA electromagnetic radiation

• Can travel in a vacuum

• The particle to a wave is called a photon

• c = (lambda)f and is 3×10^8m/s

• High f/short wavelengths → large E

• Low f/long wavelengths → small E

• The energy

Power

= ¼ pi(Diameter)²

Explains the light gathering power: Increases as the surface area of the telescope’s objective

Angular resolution

How large something appears

apparent size = linear size/distance

Angular distance/diameter

Real size of an object