This radar was used in a field project run by the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Taiwan.
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Image courtesy of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
How Radar Works
Radar is short for "radio detection and ranging". A radar dish sends out pulses of radio waves. These waves bounce off objects and return to the dish. A radar echo shows up on the monitor and shows where the object is located. Then a computer makes calculations to show how far away the object is located.
One use of radar is in the military. Radar is used both as an offensive and a defensive weapon. It can see the enemy so the military knows where to attack. It can also warn when an enemy is attacking. Due to recent advances in stealth technology, radar is not as effective on the battlefield.
There are many scientific uses for radar. Weather radar is an important tool in weather forecasting. Scientists also use radar to study different aspects of the atmosphere, such as wind patterns and air pollution. Radar is also used by space probes such as Magellan to map the surfaces of other planets.
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