X-Band Radar:
After recent devastating floods and landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved an X-band radar to be installed in the district.
- An X-band radar is a radar that emits radiation in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum: 8-12 GHz, corresponding to wavelengths of around 2-4 cm.
- The smaller wavelengths allow the radar to produce images of higher resolution.
- However, the greater the frequency of some radiation, the faster it will be attenuated.
- The new radar is expected to be able to monitor the movements of particles, such as soil, to inform landslide warnings.
- The device will also perform high temporal sampling, that is, rapidly sample its environs, allowing it to spot particle movements happening in shorter spans of time.
- These radars are typically used for studies about cloud development and light precipitation due to their ability to detect tiny water particles and snow.
- Radar is short for ‘radio detection and ranging’.
- The device uses radio waves to determine the distance, velocity and physical characteristics of objects around the device.
