Astrophysics (Index)About

diffraction limited

(telescope limited only by the laws of diffraction)

A diffraction limited telescope, microscope or camera is such an instrument designed so that its resolution limit is based upon diffraction rather than atmospheric conditions or construction flaws of the equipment. Alternately, a telescope can be seeing limited, i.e., further limited by atmospheric conditions. Locating a telescope in space or using adaptive optics are means of removing the seeing limits.


(telescopes,physics,optics)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction-limited_system
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/diflim.html

Referenced by pages:
Airy disk
confusion limit
diffraction
DKIST
lucky imaging
seeing

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