PES 1090: Telescope Lab
Thursday, 24-Feb-2011 7:48 PM
Telescope Eyepiece Barrel Sizes
Equation for the area of a circumference
Optics & Mirrors ref. on textbook pg. 385
Telescopes ref. on textbook pg. 385, 386, 387
Diffraction & Refraction of Light
Reflecting telescopes reflects light
Refracting telescope bends light with lenses
Interferometer allows for observations to be done simultanously through two or more telescopes
EM Spectrum (visible to non-visible)
Atmosphere acts as a lens to ground based telescopes
Adaptive optics is a technique in which actuators on the mirror change its shape to match distortions in the atmosphere.
In order for the eye to see, photons must strike the retina, the brightness depends on the number of photons that eneter the eye per second.
Doubling the radius of lens or mirror increases its light-gathering area by a factor of four.
Refraction distorts the shape of the rising or setting sun.
Refraction is stronger for objects near the horizon.
Resolving power is the ability for a telescope to discern details from far away, and is limited by the wave nature of light.
Diffraction occurs as waves pass through an opening a smaller secondary waves are produced.