vinkelupplösningen

Vinkelupplösning, often translated as angular resolution, refers to the smallest angular separation between two objects that can be distinguished as separate entities by an optical instrument. It is a measure of the instrument's ability to discern fine details in terms of their angular position. A higher angular resolution means the instrument can distinguish objects that are closer together in terms of their angle.

The angular resolution of an optical system is fundamentally limited by diffraction. According to the Rayleigh criterion, two point sources are considered resolved when the central maximum of the diffraction pattern of one source lies on the first minimum of the diffraction pattern of the other. This limit is dependent on the wavelength of the light being observed and the diameter of the aperture of the optical instrument. Specifically, the angular resolution is inversely proportional to the aperture diameter and directly proportional to the wavelength.

In practical terms, instruments with larger apertures and those observing shorter wavelengths generally achieve better angular resolution. For example, telescopes used in astronomy often have very large mirrors or lenses to maximize their angular resolution, allowing them to observe distant celestial objects with greater detail. Similarly, microscopes also have a limit to their resolution, often referred to as resolving power, which is a form of angular resolution in its ability to distinguish closely spaced points. Atmospheric conditions can also affect the effective angular resolution of ground-based telescopes through a phenomenon known as "seeing."