Why can’t we invent a telescope that zooms infinitely at perfect resolution to look at distant planets?
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Light waves have a finite wavelength, and this puts limits on how precisely we can observe distant objects.
To see an object with greater detail, we need a telescope with a larger aperture (which allows more light to enter) and a longer focal length (which magnifies the image). However, even the largest telescopes on Earth are limited by the turbulent atmosphere, which distorts the image and reduces the resolution.
Another limitation is the inherent fuzziness or blur that comes from the wave-like nature of light. This is called diffraction, and it makes it impossible to focus light perfectly. To overcome this limitation, astronomers use a technique called “adaptive optics” which involves measuring the distortions caused by the atmosphere and then correcting for them in real-time. However, this technique has its own limitations.
Finally, there are practical limitations to the size and weight of telescopes that can be launched into space. Even if we could build a telescope with perfect resolution and infinite zoom, it would not be feasible to launch such a massive instrument into orbit.
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