How does the angular resolution of the 305-m Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico compare with the angular resolution of the 10-m Keck optical telescope on Mauna Kea,Hawaii?
A) It is not possible to compare their angular resolution because they work in different wavelength ranges.
B) The 305-m Arecibo telescope has much better angular resolution than the 10-m Keck telescope.
C) They have about the same angular resolution because angular resolution is limited by turbulence in Earth's atmosphere, not by mirror diameter.
D) The 305-m Arecibo telescope has much worse angular resolution than the 10-m Keck telescope.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The angular resolution of a telescope is inversely proportional to the diameter of the telescope and directly proportional to the wavelength of light it observes. Since radio wavelengths are much longer than optical wavelengths, the Arecibo radio telescope has worse angular resolution compared to the Keck optical telescope, despite its larger size.

How Does the Angular Resolution of the 305-M Arecibo Radio