Latest news with #radar
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Your Local Airport Might Be Attracting Alien Attention
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: The SETI Institute's goal is to lead a science-based mission to find evidence of intelligent life beyond our own planet. A new study shows what aliens within 200 light-years might see if they trained their own powerful radio telescopes on our planet. It turns out the aviation radar—both civilian and military—would create a repeatable Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) pattern due to the distribution of radar equipment across the Earth's surface. Professional outfits like the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute scan the skies with radio telescopes for any sign of extraterrestrial life. They're especially tuned in to potential presence of technosignatures—electromagnetic radiation emitted by an advanced society's technology. While that effort has produced some exciting close calls, humanity most likely has yet to find any sign of alien life. Of course, there's another way to look at this problem. If an alien civilization in our galactic neighbor also had their own SETI-esque programs—similarly probing the skies in search for an answer to that ever-elusive 'Are we alone?' question—could they hear us? Well, as it turns out, the answer is an emphatic 'yes'—not, however, because we're purposefully shooting some kind of high-powered radio beam into the cosmos that's acting like a galactic flare gun. No, aliens could hear us just from our everyday airport and military radar systems. In a new study—the preliminary results of which were revealed at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting 2025 in Durham, U.K.—lead researcher Ramiro Caisse Saide from the University of Manchester concluded that an alien civilization within 200 light-years of Earth could likely spot our planet's radar signals using an advanced radio telescope similar to the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia. The study concluded that worldwide airport radar alone outputs a radio signal of roughly 2×10¹⁵ watts, while military radar outputs distinctive directional radio beams up to 1×10¹⁴ watts. At first, 200 light-years may not seem like a lot—after all, the Milky Way stretches some 100,000 light-years across. But even a distance this short (at cosmic scales, at least) includes some 120,000 stars, which very likely host plenty of candidates capable of sustaining life. 'This would look clearly artificial to anyone watching from interstellar distances with powerful radio telescopes,' Caisse Saide said in a press statement. 'In fact, these military signals can appear up to a hundred times stronger from certain points in space, depending on where an observer is located.' The authors looked at this 'hidden electromagnetic leakage' from the perspective of six stellar systems: Barnard star (6 light-years away), HD 48948 (55 light-years away), HD 40307 (42 light-years away), HD 216520 (64 light-years away), LHS 475 (40 light-years away), and AU Microscopii (32 light-years away). To help others understand what the 'leakage' might look like, the researchers published a video showing the mean distribution of Earth's Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) over a 24-hour period as it would appear on AU Microscopii. A distinct pattern emerges based on the distribution of radio equipment across the planet. So, if some alien civilization took a keen interest in a particular rocky planet located in the Origin-Cygnus arm of the galaxy, this clearly artificial EIRP signature might just raise an eyebrow (or whatever aliens would do to show confusion). 'Our findings suggest that radar signals—produced unintentionally by any planet with advanced technology and complex aviation system—could act as a universal sign of intelligent life,' Caisse Saide said in a press statement. 'In this way, our work supports both the scientific quest to answer the question 'Are we alone?' and practical efforts to manage the influence of technology on our world and beyond.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Iraq makes 'decisive findings' about drone attacks without identifying who targeted its bases
BAGHDAD — Drones used to attack military bases in Iraq during the recent Israel-Iran war were manufactured outside Iraq but were launched inside its territory, according to the 'decisive findings' of an investigation published on Friday. The report of an investigative committee formed under the directive of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani did not identify who was behind the attacks that targeted radar and air defense systems last month.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
General Glen D. VanHerck Joins C Speed Board of Directors
Former NORAD and USNORTHCOM Commander Brings Strategic Defense Insight to Innovative Radar Company SYRACUSE, N.Y., July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- C Speed, a leader in advanced, software-defined radar solutions, and a NewSpring Holdings platform company, is proud to announce that General Glen D. VanHerck, USAF (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), has joined its Board of Directors. General VanHerck brings to C Speed's board a distinguished 37-year career in national security and defense. He has a wealth of experience in strategy and policy development, and joint planning and operations. Glen is a highly decorated pilot, commander, and joint leader, with a diverse background which includes flying our nations latest fighter and bomber aircraft. He held pivotal roles in crisis response, counter-air operations, and defense modernization. From 2020 to 2024, as Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, he led vital operations in the defense of North America, and our homeland. 'General VanHerck's unparalleled experience and operational leadership in aerospace defense and homeland security are a tremendous asset to our board,' said Kevin McLaughlin, CEO of C Speed. 'As the threats facing our nation grow more complex and dynamic, Glen's domain expertise will be instrumental in guiding our mission to provide cutting-edge radar solutions to our federal partners.' Reflecting on his decision to join the board, General VanHerck remarked: 'Throughout my entire career in uniform, protecting the homeland lay at the forefront. Today's threat picture is evolving faster than ever – and so must the technology we rely on to defend against it. Companies like C Speed play a critical role in this effort. Their technology directly addresses these challenges with precision and innovation. I'm deeply impressed by the team's dedication, the sophistication of their persistent surveillance systems, and the company's forward-looking vision. It's rare to find a company that not only pioneers world-class solutions but also manufactures them right here in America, with a 20-year heritage of excellence. I'm honored to join the board and help advance C Speed's mission of protecting the nation through innovation.' Andy Maner, Chairman of the NewSpring Holdings Federal Advisory Board, also welcomed the appointment, stating: 'General VanHerck's reputation and track record are well known. His vision, integrity, and leadership will help propel C Speed forward as it addresses some of the most urgent and rapidly evolving threats, including threats to our homeland.' About C Speed C Speed is a leading provider of advanced radar systems and engineering solutions for civilian and military applications. The company specializes in designing, prototyping, and manufacturing state-of-the-art radar systems, focusing on radar receivers, exciters, and signal processors. C Speed has built a strong reputation by collaborating with major defense contractors and government agencies, including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and NATO. Their product portfolio includes the 'LightWave Software Defined Radar Platform,' designed as a cost-effective, software-based alternative for legacy radar modernization. With over 30 years of experience in the radar industry, C Speed continues to innovate, providing essential support to national and international defense initiatives. About NewSpring Holdings NewSpring Holdings, NewSpring's majority investment strategy focused on sector-specific platform builds, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to take profitable, growing companies to the next level through acquisitions and proven organic methodologies. Founded in 1999, NewSpring partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. The Firm manages over $3.5 billion across five distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt. Partnering with management teams to help develop their businesses into market leaders, NewSpring identifies opportunities and builds relationships using its network of industry leaders and influencers across a wide array of operational areas and industries. Visit NewSpring at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE C Speed
CBS News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
After a day of heavy rains, most of the Pittsburgh regions will get a break from showers
Yesterday's First Alert Day that we issued due to a risk of flash flooding certainly verified. We saw several communities see more than three inches of rain, including radar estimates of 4.5" of rain in the Tarentum area. After all that rain yesterday, we could certainly use a break, and most are going to get that today. WEATHER LINKS: Current Conditions | School Closings & Delays | Submit Your Weather Photos While close, I can't say everyone will be rain-free, though. By far, the highest chance for rain today will come for places south of I-70. If you are heading south to West Virginia, the entire state is under a flood watch through midnight. For Morgantown and places south of I-70, today's highest chance for rain arrives after 6 this afternoon and continues through around 3 this morning. While the sun is still up, expect to see a couple of isolated storms in this area, turning to more rain as we head through the overnight hours. The reason for the rain in this area will be a weak boundary that will be lagging in place. Where the boundary goes, the rain chance will tick up. Highs today will hit the mid-80s with partly to mostly cloudy skies. Winds will be out of the southwest at around 10mph. It's still fairly humid outside today, so you'll be battling that today. Part of our rain chance for today comes from a trough of dry air pushing in from the north. Most data shows a powerful blockage of stable air keeping us mostly dry, even as this boundary dips and moves through. This boundary will likely enhance storms and rain chances south of I-70 through the overnight hours. Friday is looking like the pick of the week. With highs in the low 80s and humidity levels lower. I can't guarantee you'll be dry, but rain and storms will be isolated. Downpours will be possible. Rain on Saturday and Sunday will come during the afternoon, with mornings dry. Highs both days will be in the low 80s with morning lows dipping into the mid to upper 60s. It should feel nice. Stay up to date with the KDKA Mobile App – which you can download here!
New York Times
13-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
In Canada's Northern Outposts, Rusting Relics Once Guarded Against Nuclear War
At the crossroads of Golf Street and Armed Forces Street, a large banana-shaped metal memorial on a pedestal gazes at the open sky in northern Canada. All but forgotten, its lower half blackened with time, it now stands forever still — or in repose, one might say. In its glory days during the Cold War, the artifact — a radar — spun and bobbed with balletic grace, spat out bursts of waves and listened for echoes, as it continuously scanned the skies for Soviet bombers sneaking over the Arctic. 'It's really crazy when you think about it, that this radar was the raison d'être of our whole town,' said Frédéric Maltais, who grew up in Chibougamau, a city in northern Quebec, on a military base that was shuttered at the end of the Cold War and became a golf course. 'Imagine all the resources that went into managing one radar like that.' And it was hardly the only one. It was linked to scores of similar radars at more than 40 stations across Canada, collectively called the Pinetree Line, because it ran east to west along the country's vast boreal forests. The Pinetree Line was also not alone. Two other strings of radars farther north cut across Canada and served as tripwires: the Mid-Canada and the Distant Early Warning, or DEW, Lines, whose outposts were based in Canada's most isolated locations above the Arctic Circle and whose only local workers were Inuit. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
