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Home » Mars has approximately half of the earth’s diameter. When it is closer to the earth it is at about ½ AU from the earth. Calculate at what size it will disappear when seen through the same telescope.
Mars has approximately half of the earth’s diameter. When it is closer to the earth it is at about ½ AU from the earth. Calculate at what size it will disappear when seen through the same telescope.
CBSE | Class 11 | NCERT Exemplar | Physics | Units and Measurements
Mars has approximately half of the earth’s diameter. When it is closer to the earth it is at about ½ AU from the earth. Calculate at what size it will disappear when seen through the same telescope.

D_{mars}/D_{earth}=1/2

Also, D_{earth}/D_{sun}=1/100

So, D_{mars}/D_{sun}=1/2\times 1/100

At 1AU, the sun’s diameter is = (1/2) degree

Therefore, diameter of mars will be = (1/400) degree

At 1/2 AU, mars diameter = (1/400)(2) = (1/200) degree

With 100 magnification, mars diameter = (1/2) degree = 30’

As a result, because of atmospheric variations, the value is larger than the resolution limit, and hence seems magnified.

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