Investigating Nearby Exoplanets via Interstellar Radar

TL;DR

Interstellar radar offers a promising, feasible method for detailed exoplanet characterization, providing advantages over passive observation and interstellar probes, with existing technology and manageable costs.

Contribution

This paper explores the potential of interstellar radar as a practical tool for exoplanet study, highlighting its capabilities and feasibility with current technology.

Findings

Radar can measure surface features, spin, and maps of exoplanets.

It can distinguish liquid from solid surfaces and detect rings and moons.

The technology is feasible and cost-effective for large-scale use.

Abstract

Interstellar radar is a potential intermediate step between passive observation of exoplanets and interstellar exploratory missions. Compared to passive observation, it has the traditional advantages of radar astronomy. It can measure surface characteristics, determine spin rates and axes, provide extremely accurate ranges, construct maps of planets, distinguish liquid from solid surfaces, find rings and moons, and penetrate clouds. It can do this even for planets close to the parent star. Compared to interstellar travel or probes, it also offers significant advantages. The technology required to build such a radar already exists, radar can return results within a human lifetime, and a single facility can investigate thousands of planetary systems. The cost, although high, is within the reach of Earth's economy, so it is cheaper as well.