Science glossary film: Resolution

In measurement and in display systems, resolution is a measure of how much detail can be detected or shown. The resolution of a mass spectrometer, for example, describes its ability to pick out peaks in a mass spectrum. Telescopes are often described in terms of their angular resolution, their ability to distinguish between two stars very close together in its field of view.

The resolution of a mass spectrometer, for example, describes its ability to pick out peaks in a mass spectrum. Telescopes are often described in terms of their angular resolution, their ability to distinguish between two stars very close together in its field of view.