Telescopes & instruments · θ = 1.22 λ / D

Angular Resolution (Rayleigh)

The finest detail a telescope can resolve, set by diffraction at its aperture — the Rayleigh criterion. Bigger apertures see finer detail; a 100 mm telescope resolves about 1.4 arcseconds in green light.

Wavelength (nm)Aperture (mm)

Angular resolution1.384arcsec

Formula: θ = 1.22 λ / D

Worked example

With the default inputs, angular resolution (rayleigh) evaluates to 1.384 arcsec — 100 mm at 550 nm → ~1.4″. The validator recomputes this against the known value on every build, so the formula is checked, not asserted.

Highlights

›100 mm: ~1.4″

Hubble Space Telescope

Knowledge connections

Associated withHubble Space Telescope
Associated withTelescope Magnification
Associated withLimiting Magnitude

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

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Angular Resolution (Rayleigh)

Worked example

Highlights

The physics behind it

Knowledge connections

Sources

Angular Resolution (Rayleigh)

Worked example

Highlights

The physics behind it

Knowledge connections

Sources