Minimum Resolvable Angle Calculator

Minimum Resolvable Angle Calculator calculator can be used to determine the smallest angle that can be resolved by an optical system, such as a telescope or camera. This is essential in fields like astronomy, imaging, and microscopy.

Input Parameters

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

θ = 1.22 * λ / D

Where:
θ = Minimum resolvable angle (radians)
λ = Wavelength of light (meters)
D = Diameter of the aperture (meters)

Minimum Resolvable Angle Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the Minimum Resolvable Angle Calculator calculator and its working principles

How to Use the Calculator

  1. Enter the wavelength (λ) of the light in meters. This is typically in the range of 400-700 nanometers for visible light, but can be different for other types of light.
  2. Enter the diameter (D) of the aperture (e.g., the lens or mirror) in meters.
  3. Click the "Calculate" button to compute the minimum resolvable angle.
  4. The result will be displayed in both radians and degrees.

Working Principle

The minimum resolvable angle is determined by the wavelength of light and the diameter of the aperture. The formula used is:

θ = 1.22 * λ / D

where θ is the minimum resolvable angle in radians, λ is the wavelength of light in meters, and D is the diameter of the aperture in meters. The factor 1.22 comes from the diffraction limit of a circular aperture.

Applications

This calculator is useful in various fields including:

  • Astronomy: Determining the resolution of telescopes.
  • Imaging: Calculating the resolution of cameras and microscopes.
  • Optics: Designing optical systems with required resolution.

Example

For a telescope with a diameter of 2 meters observing light with a wavelength of 500 nanometers (5 × 10-7 meters), the minimum resolvable angle would be:

θ = 1.22 * (5 × 10-7) / 2 ≈ 3.05 × 10-7 radians