Question

Assume that a certain billionaire innovator misplaced his supercar and finds it launched into a high-earth orbit at a height of 15 000 km above the Earth’s surface. Wondering if he left his headlights on, he uses his telescope to directly observe the car as it passes overhead.

a. What fundamental physical effect limits the resolution of optical systems? Explain how this physical effect leads to the observed limitation.
b. What fundamental requirement can we set on the telescope to be able to distinguish the two front lights of the supercar if they are separated by 1.5m and emit light at a wavelength of 575 nm?

Answer 1