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Is optics essential for aeronautics ?
So if we go for that then what are its benefits ?
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Joseph’s Answer
Depends what you mean by optics being essential for aeronautics.
if you mean "Is it essential to study optics to get into aeronautics?" then I think the answer is no. You are likely to touch on at least some basics optics while studying for most physics or engineering courses that lead to aeronautics, but if you managed to pick options to avoid all optics, as long as you covered the areas that are required, I think you'd do just fine in aeronautics.
if you mean "is it essential to include optics in an aeronautical project?" or to flip that around "can you do aeronautics with NO optics?" then it depends what you count as optics. There's plenty of simple aeronautics (many light and ultralight aircraft included) that have no real optics beyond the pilot's naked-eye vision. However, even if you counted the "Mark 1 eyeball" as optics, then I'm sure it's possible to make a simple drone with inertial or GPS control and never use any optics, not even a pilot.
what we assume you mean, however is "is optics USEFUL for aeronautics" or "is optics essential for any particular part of aeronautics" then absolutely yes. Optics has hundreds of applications that appear in aeronautics, from the obvious visual imaging optics for remote vision or machine vision; to lasers in a variety of forms from military weapons through to measuring systems like LIDAR and photonic RADAR; to fibre-optic communications; and many more areas.
if you mean "Is it essential to study optics to get into aeronautics?" then I think the answer is no. You are likely to touch on at least some basics optics while studying for most physics or engineering courses that lead to aeronautics, but if you managed to pick options to avoid all optics, as long as you covered the areas that are required, I think you'd do just fine in aeronautics.
if you mean "is it essential to include optics in an aeronautical project?" or to flip that around "can you do aeronautics with NO optics?" then it depends what you count as optics. There's plenty of simple aeronautics (many light and ultralight aircraft included) that have no real optics beyond the pilot's naked-eye vision. However, even if you counted the "Mark 1 eyeball" as optics, then I'm sure it's possible to make a simple drone with inertial or GPS control and never use any optics, not even a pilot.
what we assume you mean, however is "is optics USEFUL for aeronautics" or "is optics essential for any particular part of aeronautics" then absolutely yes. Optics has hundreds of applications that appear in aeronautics, from the obvious visual imaging optics for remote vision or machine vision; to lasers in a variety of forms from military weapons through to measuring systems like LIDAR and photonic RADAR; to fibre-optic communications; and many more areas.
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Hassan’s Answer
https://photonics.creol.ucf.edu/aviation/#:~:text=Optics%20and%20Photonics%20plays%20an,with%20copper%20based%20electrical%20systems. has some good info on Optics and Photonics playing an increasing role in aircraft and aviation.
If, like cars, planes will become autonomous in the future then they will need to be able to 'see' like a pilot or likely better. There are many technologies being developed to make that happen.
If, like cars, planes will become autonomous in the future then they will need to be able to 'see' like a pilot or likely better. There are many technologies being developed to make that happen.