rishch said:In astronomical telescopes, they use a convex mirror to from a real image, which is formed at the focus of the eyepiece lens, effectively forming an image at infinity. But how can it truly be at infinity? If it was truly at infinity then how could you see it?
Image formation at infinity refers to the process by which a distant object is projected onto the retina of the eye or onto a detector in a camera. This results in an image that appears to be at an infinite distance from the observer.
Image formation at infinity differs from other types of image formation in that the object being imaged is at a very far distance, usually beyond 20 feet. This results in a parallel light ray hitting the lens of the eye or camera, which creates a focused image at the retina or detector without the need for the lens to adjust its focus.
The quality of image formation at infinity is affected by the aperture of the lens, the distance of the object, and the quality of the lens itself. A larger aperture allows for more light to enter the lens, resulting in a brighter and sharper image. The distance of the object also plays a role, as a closer object may require the lens to adjust its focus, resulting in a less clear image. The quality of the lens, including its level of distortion and aberrations, can also impact the quality of the image formed at infinity.
The human eye uses a combination of the cornea and lens to focus parallel light rays from a distant object onto the retina. The retina contains photoreceptor cells that convert light into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain for processing and interpretation. The shape and thickness of the lens can be adjusted by the ciliary muscles to ensure that the image is properly focused on the retina.
Image formation at infinity is a crucial concept in photography and imaging technology. It allows for the capture of distant objects without the need for the lens to adjust its focus, resulting in clear and sharp images. This technique is commonly used in landscape photography, astronomy, and surveillance cameras. It also forms the basis for the pinhole camera, which creates images by allowing light to pass through a small hole and form an inverted image on a screen or film.