Dawes' limit

diffraction pattern matching Dawes' limit

Dawes' limit is a formula to express the maximum resolving power of a microscope or telescope.[1] It is so named after its discoverer, William Rutter Dawes ,[2] although it is also credited to Lord Rayleigh.

The formula takes different forms depending on the units.

R = 4.56/D D in inches, R in arcseconds
R = 11.6/D D in centimeters, R in arcseconds
where D is the diameter of the main lens (aperture)
R is the resolving power of the instrument

This formula agrees with the usual at a wavelength of about 460nm, somewhat bluer than the peak sensitivity of rod cells at c. 498nm.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bob King (2017-03-01). "Pushing Limits: A Spring Sky Double Star Romp". Sky and Telescope magazine. Retrieved 2020-02-12. The most stringent test of telescopic resolution uses the criteria of Dawes' limit given by the equation R = 4.56/D, where R is the resolution in arcseconds and D is the telescope's aperture in inches.
  2. ^ Dawes, W.R., Catalogue of Micrometrical Measurements of Double Stars. In: Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 35, p.137 1867, Bibcode:1867MmRAS..35..137D


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