LECTURE 2 REVIEW QUESTIONS


These questions are intended to draw your attention to some of the main points discussed in the lecture notes. They are in the style of the questions that will appear on the midterm and final exams.

You should first read the notes, then try to answer the questions without consulting the notes, then review the answers against the notes.

Keep track of places where the notes aren't clear or you want additional explanations, and ask me about them in class.


Does the term "astronomical seeing" refer to the transparency of the atmosphere?

How much more light is collected by a 40-in telescope than an 8-in telescope? Why must telescopes designed to observe the universe at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths be placed in orbit outside the Earth's atmosphere?

You are observing a planet with a 40 mm eyepiece, which yields a magnification of 100x. What should you do to change to a magnification of 200x?

The Sun emits energy over a wide swath of the electromagnetic spectrum, but its peak output is in the yellow-green part of the optical spectrum. This happens to coincide with the maximum sensitivity of the human eye. Is this just a coincidence?

Which filter color for your flashlight best preserves your "dark adaptation"?

What is the difference between "magnification" and "resolution"?




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Last modified September 2006 by rwo

Copyright © 2006 Robert W. O'Connell. All rights reserved.