Sky science
Resolving Power
Direct answer
Resolving Power expresses how finely an instrument separates nearby spatial details or wavelengths, according to the stated context.
It quantifies an instrument’s discrimination ability.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Averted Vision, Angular Resolution, Diffraction Limit, Rayleigh Criterion
It quantifies an instrument’s discrimination ability.
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The story behind Resolving Power
Optical theory and spectroscopy developed related but distinct resolution measures.
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Why Resolving Power matters
Resolving Power supports honest comparison of telescopes and spectrographs.
How to read Resolving Power
Specify whether the value is angular or spectral resolving power.
Resolving Power in practice: an example
A high-resolution spectrograph separates absorption lines blended at lower resolution.
Where readings of Resolving Power go wrong
A common error is to compare spatial and spectral resolving-power numbers as the same quantity.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- European Southern Observatory: Technology for Telescopes - Observatory reference for aperture, angular resolution, atmospheric seeing, mirrors, and telescope technology.
- European Southern Observatory: Spectroscopy - Observatory explanation of spectra and the physical information encoded in astronomical light.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
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Common questions
What is resolving power?
Resolving Power expresses how finely an instrument separates nearby spatial details or wavelengths, according to the stated context.
What do people get wrong about resolving power?
A common error is to compare spatial and spectral resolving-power numbers as the same quantity.
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