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resolving power

1. (Science: optics) The resolution of an optical system defines the closest proximity of two objects that can be seen as two distinct regions of the image. This limit depends upon the numerical Aperture of the optical system, the contrast step between objects and background and the shape of the objects. The often quoted airy limit applies only to self luminous discs.

2. (Science: genetics) The smallest map distance measurable by an experiment involving a certain number of classified recombinant progency.