# Resolution

Also called: Dawes limit, resolving power, Rayleigh limit.

The finest detail a telescope can show; the Dawes limit, 116 ÷ aperture in mm, is the closest equal double star it can split.

Light's wave nature blurs every star into a tiny [airy disk](https://astropilot.space/glossary/airy-disk). Bigger apertures make smaller disks: an 80 mm splits equal stars about 1.5″ apart, a 200 mm 0.6″, a 400 mm 0.3″ — when the [seeing](https://astropilot.space/glossary/seeing) allows, which it often doesn't below about 1″.

**In AstroPilot:** Double-star pages compare each pair with your telescope's Dawes limit.

**Related:** [Aperture](https://astropilot.space/glossary/aperture.md), [Airy disk](https://astropilot.space/glossary/airy-disk.md), [Double star](https://astropilot.space/glossary/double-star.md), [Separation](https://astropilot.space/glossary/separation.md), [Seeing](https://astropilot.space/glossary/seeing.md)

From the AstroPilot astronomy glossary: https://astropilot.space/glossary/resolution