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Telescope Light Gathering Power

-- Tim | January 10, 2021

Question:

Would an array of 100 1 meter diameter telescopes (maybe a 10 x 10 array) have the same light gathering capability as a single 100 meter diameter telescope?

-- Tim

Answer:

Yes, the light gathering power of a telescope is proportional to its total collecting area. You can gather the same light using 100 1m diameter telescopes as you can with a single 100m diameter telescope.

-- Jeff Mangum

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