Exam 4: Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments: Extending Humanitys Vision

What is the ratio of the light-gathering power of a 10-metre telescope to that of a 1-metre telescope?

Suppose a large refracting telescope and a large reflecting telescope have the same diameter primary. What can you conclude about the difference between the two telescopes?

What type of primary is found in a reflecting telescope?

You point your backyard reflecting telescope at the star Vega. Where does Vega's light go?

The _______________ _____________ is a measure of the finest detail that can be seen in an image.

What is the main reason for building large optical telescopes?

The process of combining signals from separate telescopes to improve resolution is called _______________________.

Which of the following has the most light-gathering power?

Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation has the smallest frequency?

A(n) ____________________ is used to measure the brightness and colour of stars.

What is the purpose of interferometry?

Radio telescopes are affected by interference from human-made radio devices. What is the equivalent problem for optical telescopes?

The ____________________ is a measure of how many times larger the angular size of an object appears through a telescope.

How does long-wavelength visible light appear to the average human eye?

The pupil of the human eye is approximately 0.8 centimetres in diameter when adapted to the dark. What is the ratio of the light-gathering power of a 1.6 metre telescope to that of the human eye?

Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by water lower in the Earth's atmosphere, but can be detected by telescopes that are on mountaintops or are carried by aircraft?

Light can behave like a particle or like a wave.

You can see any amount of detail if you increase a telescope's magnifying power by enough.

What is the most common design of large optical telescopes?

The diagram below illustrates the layout and light path of a reflecting telescope of the ____________________ design.