Speckle Interferometry Diffraction Limit lambda/D Resolution Check
Circular unobscured diffraction Rayleigh 1.22λ/Dcriterion, not empirical Dawes or speckle recovery/seeing limit. Caller independently establishes frames, units, epoch, covariance and instrument context; not an identity, association or astrometric quality certification.
Description
The Rayleigh relation describes ideal circular-aperture angular resolution.
The Rayleigh relation describes ideal circular-aperture angular resolution.1
A geometric separation comparison does not guarantee that a speckle observation resolves a pair. Use Speckle Interferometry Diffraction Limit lambda/D Resolution Check to evaluate the supplied inputs under the model explained below.
When to use Speckle Interferometry Diffraction Limit lambda/D Resolution Check
Use Speckle Interferometry Diffraction Limit lambda/D Resolution Check to evaluate the supplied inputs under the model explained below. Establish the units, measurement scope and model assumptions before entering values.
How to use Speckle Interferometry Diffraction Limit lambda/D Resolution Check and understand its results
- Establish the units, measurement scope and model assumptions before entering values.
- Enter Wavelength meters, Aperture meters, Observed separation arcsec using the field table and validation rules below, then run the tool.
- Read Rayleigh circular pupil arcsec, Geometric separation above rayleigh; interpret the units, signs, ordering and unknown-value placeholders described below.
- Correct reported input errors and rerun. Apply successful results according to their specific meanings and check the assumptions before using them in a decision.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| wavelengthMeters | Wavelength meters | number | Required; constraints below |
| apertureMeters | Aperture meters | number | Required; constraints below |
| observedSeparationArcsec | Observed separation arcsec | number | Required; constraints below |
Enter positive wavelength and aperture in m and nonnegative separation in arcsec. Convert 1.22×wavelength/aperture radians to arcsec and compare separation inclusively against that ideal limit. No seeing, obstruction or speckle-reconstruction performance is estimated.
RayleighArcsec=(1.22×wavelength/aperture)×180/π×3600; above=separation≥limit Use the field order, units and branch conditions described above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| rayleighCircularPupilArcsec | Rayleigh circular pupil arcsec | number |
| geometricSeparationAboveRayleigh | Geometric separation above rayleigh | boolean |
{
"input": {
"wavelengthMeters": 5e-7,
"apertureMeters": 1,
"observedSeparationArcsec": 0.2
},
"output": {
"rayleighCircularPupilArcsec": 0.12582153181072878,
"geometricSeparationAboveRayleigh": true
}
}Limitations and assumptions
A geometric separation comparison does not guarantee that a speckle observation resolves a pair. Apply the exact scope and assumptions explained above.
All listed fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, incorrect types, nonfinite numbers and sparse arrays fail validation. Domain-specific bounds, alignments and supported tokens are explained above; extremely large inputs or outputs can also be rejected. Input errors differ from successful false results, empty match lists and unknown-evidence placeholders.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Aperture Area cm² Optics Calculator for a related task: A central obstruction subtracts area from a telescope's circular collecting pupil.
Use Pair Separation Arcseconds Decimal to mas Precision Formatter for a related task: Milliarcsecond formatting is a unit conversion followed by chosen decimal display precision.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Aperture Area cm² Optics Calculator
A central obstruction subtracts area from a telescope's circular collecting pupil.
- Pair Separation Arcseconds Decimal to mas Precision Formatter
Milliarcsecond formatting is a unit conversion followed by chosen decimal display precision.