What key advantage do massive ground-based telescopes possess over space telescopes regarding their physical capabilities?
Answer
They can achieve vastly superior light-gathering power due to their sheer size constraints
When comparing ground-based and space-based light-gathering systems, the trade-off between size and clarity becomes apparent. Ground telescopes, whose primary limitation is engineering capacity and budget rather than atmospheric obstruction, can be constructed with apertures measuring several meters in diameter. This colossal size allows them to capture far greater quantities of photons, granting them vastly superior light-gathering power compared to their typically smaller orbital counterparts. Space telescopes sacrifice this sheer size for the benefit of atmospheric clarity and access to blocked wavelengths.
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