Aero-Terms!

Aero-Terms are designed to be a daily reminder of the terms, names, acronyms and explanations of the unique language that populates the aviation world. Aerospace, sport aviation, fixed wing, helo, you name it... it's all fair game.

Aero-Terms should serve as a quick but intriguing reminder of the terms you may use every day, or an introduction to an aspects of the Aero-World you may not yet be familiar with. ANN also encourages readers to go beyond the FMI link, and further research any intriguing terms.

Suggestions for future Aero-Terms are ALWAYS welcome, as are additions or discussion of the explanations given for each Aero-Term.

Radar Astronomy 

The use of radar to measure the topography, rotation rate, and distance of objects in the solar system, including the Moon, planets, and asteroids, and to detect meteors. Ground-based radar astronomy, with the exception of meteor work, demands the use of large radio telescopes. Some space probes, notably Magellan at Venus and Mars Express, have been equipped with radar to study the surface and subsurface of planets from orbit. 

FMI:  http://www.accessscience.com/abstract.aspx?id=757209&referURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.accessscience.com%2fcontent.aspx%3fid%3d757209