This is at the extreme limit of magnification.
a) the poor tracking capabilities of modern telescopes
b) air turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere
c) the poor optical polish achievable on large mirrors
d) the clumsiness of the telescope operator
2006-11-16 09:09:53 · 4 answers · asked by diente 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
b
2006-11-16 09:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
b) Air turbulence!
Most good telescopes are made with resolving abilities that exceed what the Earth's atmosphere will ever let them actually see.
The Hubble is fairly small for a large telescope, there are far larger ones, but due to the fact that it's in orbit and doesn't have to look through the atmosphere, it can see things that we were never befor able to see.
2006-11-19 22:30:49 · answer #2 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is somewhat outdated now. It is possible to compensate for atmospheric disturbances now. They just reto-fitted the 200 inch scope at Mt. Palomar not too long ago
2006-11-16 17:21:10 · answer #3 · answered by Ridi 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
B
2006-11-16 17:18:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋