The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) orbits Earth at an altitude of 613 km. It has an objective mirror that is 2.40 m in diameter. If the HST were to look down on Earth's surface (rather than up at the stars), what is the minimum separation of two objects that could be resolved using 549 nm light? [IVote: The HST is used only for astronomical work, but a (classified) number of similar telescopes are in orbit for spy purposes.]

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) orbits Earth at an altitude of 613 km. It has an objective mirror that is 2.40 m in diameter. If the HST were to look down on Earth's surface (rather than up at the stars), what is the minimum separation of two objects that could be resolved using 549 nm light? [IVote: The HST is used only for astronomical work, but a (classified) number of similar telescopes are in orbit for spy purposes.]