AST201H1 Chapter : AST— Jan 26 Lecture + Chapter Notes

• School: UTSG
• Department: Astronomy & Astrophysics
• Course: AST201H1
• Professor: Michael Reid

Document Summary

Interference limits a telescope s angular resolution: diffraction limit angular resolution limited only by interference of light waves, larger telescope has a smaller diffraction limit. larger diffraction limit = poorer angular resolution y. What do astronomers do with telescopes? y three primary uses of telescopes y. neutrino telescopes are located in deep mines or under water or ice: cosmic rays very high energy subatomic particles that continually bombard. know little about their chemical composition: gravitational waves travel at the speed of light. Is more difficult for shorter wavelengths (higher frequency) y. 1814- franhofer detects lines in the spectrum of the sun y was able to take a detailed spectrum of the sun. The solar spectrum y read it line by line y each gap corresponds to a chemical element: biggest gap is hydrogen. Atoms y electrons are restricted to orbiting a certain distance y can never orbit between y electron negatively charged y nucleus (protons + neutrons)