Question

What are the approximate dimensions of the smallest object on Earth that astronauts can resolve by eye when they are orbiting 275 km above the Earth

Answer 1

Answer:

   s_400 = 16.5 m , s_700 = 29.4 m

Explanation:

The limit of the human eye's solution is determined by the diffraction limit that is given by the expression

                   θ = 1.22 λ / D

where you lick the wavelength and D the mediator of the circular aperture.

In our case, the dilated pupil has a diameter of approximately 8 mm = 8 10-3 m and the eye responds to a wavelength between 400 nm and 700 nm.

by introducing these values ​​into the formula

                 

λ = 400 nm      θ = 1.22 400 10⁻⁹ / 8 10⁻³ = 6 10⁻⁵ rad

λ = 700 nm     θ = 1.22 700 10⁻⁹ / 8 10⁻³-3 = 1.07 10⁻⁴ rad

Now we can use the definition radians

          θ= s / R

where s is the supported arc and R is the radius. Let's find the sarcos for each case

λ = 400 nm       s_400 = θ R

                         S_400 = 6 10⁻⁵ 275 10³

                         s_400 = 16.5 m

λ = 700 nm s_ 700 = 1.07 10⁻⁴ 275 10³

                          s_700 = 29.4 m