A new study presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting 2025 in Durham, England, has revealed that radar systems used at civilian airports and military bases might be unintentionally broadcasting Earth’s presence to extraterrestrial civilizations.
According to researchers, radar emissions, which are part of routine aviation and defense operations, release electromagnetic signals into space. These signals can potentially be picked up by powerful alien radio telescopes, alerting them to our existence.
The research team, led by Ramiro Saide of the University of Manchester, simulated how signals from major airports like London Heathrow and New York JFK spread through space. The study found that these signals could be detectable from nearby star systems such as Barnard’s Star—located just under six light-years away—and AU Microscopii, a youthful planetary system situated about 32 light-years from Earth.
“Our findings suggest that radar signals—produced unintentionally by any planet with advanced technology and complex aviation systems—could act as a universal sign of intelligent life,” Saide stated.
If any intelligent alien life exists within 200 light-years and possesses sufficiently advanced technology, these beings could potentially detect Earth’s radar emissions.
While radar signals were not designed with space communication in mind, their unintentional "leakage" into space could serve as a signal of intelligent life, giving astronomers new ideas on what to look for in the search for extraterrestrial civilizations.
The study also notes that military radar systems are particularly potent, as they emit focused, rotating beams, resembling lighthouses sweeping through space, increasing their detectability.
Co-author Professor Michael Garrett, also from the University of Manchester, highlighted the broader implications:
“By understanding how our signals propagate through space, we can better protect communication channels, improve radar design, and monitor the technological impact on our space environment.”
He also noted that the techniques used to trace and model these faint signals could benefit astronomy, planetary defense, and studies into the environmental effects of human activity in space.
Saide concluded that the research not only advances our search for intelligent life beyond Earth but also supports practical goals, such as managing technological interference in space.
According to researchers, radar emissions, which are part of routine aviation and defense operations, release electromagnetic signals into space. These signals can potentially be picked up by powerful alien radio telescopes, alerting them to our existence.
The research team, led by Ramiro Saide of the University of Manchester, simulated how signals from major airports like London Heathrow and New York JFK spread through space. The study found that these signals could be detectable from nearby star systems such as Barnard’s Star—located just under six light-years away—and AU Microscopii, a youthful planetary system situated about 32 light-years from Earth.
“Our findings suggest that radar signals—produced unintentionally by any planet with advanced technology and complex aviation systems—could act as a universal sign of intelligent life,” Saide stated.
If any intelligent alien life exists within 200 light-years and possesses sufficiently advanced technology, these beings could potentially detect Earth’s radar emissions.
While radar signals were not designed with space communication in mind, their unintentional "leakage" into space could serve as a signal of intelligent life, giving astronomers new ideas on what to look for in the search for extraterrestrial civilizations.
The study also notes that military radar systems are particularly potent, as they emit focused, rotating beams, resembling lighthouses sweeping through space, increasing their detectability.
Co-author Professor Michael Garrett, also from the University of Manchester, highlighted the broader implications:
“By understanding how our signals propagate through space, we can better protect communication channels, improve radar design, and monitor the technological impact on our space environment.”
He also noted that the techniques used to trace and model these faint signals could benefit astronomy, planetary defense, and studies into the environmental effects of human activity in space.
Saide concluded that the research not only advances our search for intelligent life beyond Earth but also supports practical goals, such as managing technological interference in space.
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