Angular size of stars.

Gunnie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 09:58 AM

I had always understood that stars were point-sources of light when viewed from Earth. That is, they had no angular size, only brightness. I thought that even the most powerful telescopes could not resolve a disk. However, I keep running across articles about crude "maps" of stellar surfaces, or of stellar weather. How do they do this? Can we resolve angular sizes in stars? If so, what stars? Very close or supermassive only?

Carlos_dfc · #2 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 10:38 AM

It's only possible for a handful of very large stars that are also relatively close.

And even then, it takes the world's largest/best research telescopes to see even the crudest of 'detail'

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
One telescope is approximately twice as big as another. How would its angular	lazyone	Telescope Forum	1	05-12-2008 01:57 AM
ANGULAR DIAMETER- astronomy help- 10pts to 1st best answer!?	jules	Astronomy Beginners Forum	0	05-08-2008 02:47 AM
Angular Velocity of Earth & moon, etc?	manutd84	Moon Forum	1	04-22-2008 09:05 PM
An astronomical telescope provides an angular magnification of 12. The two...	cdc	Telescope Forum	1	04-16-2008 01:35 AM
A telescope that produces an overall angular magnification of 38 uses an eyepiece...	steve00878	Telescope Eyepieces Forum	0	03-13-2008 03:03 AM

Astronomy Forum Astronomy Photos

Angular size of stars.

Astronomy Forum