OBSERVATORY / TECHNOLOGY
Radar
Radar transmits radio waves and analyzes reflected energy to estimate range, direction and often relative velocity.
How it works
A transmitter sends radio-frequency energy; signal processing compares received echoes with the transmitted waveform.
Why it matters
Radar can provide robust ranging and motion measurements across many lighting and weather conditions.
Advantages
- works without visible light
- direct velocity measurement in many designs
- useful in adverse weather
Limitations
- lower spatial resolution than many cameras or lidars
- multipath reflections
- interpretation requires signal processing
Connected records
Source ledger
| Publisher and record | Scope | Evidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOAA — How radar works ↗ | general | Confirmed · Primary | Aug 20, 2026 |