Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.3
2.5
Journals
Universe
Special Issues
Planetary Radar Astronomy
share announcement

Planetary Radar Astronomy

A special issue of Universe (ISSN 2218-1997). This special issue belongs to the section "Planetary Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2025) | Viewed by 4409

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chunyu Ding

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Advance Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
2. Institute of Moon–Base Exploration and Observation, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Interests: planetary radar astronomy; lunar and planetary radar detection; astronomical technology and methods; lunar and deep space exploration; lunar and planetary science; evolution of surface processes of solar system objects
Prof. Dr. Yan Su

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Lunar and Deep Space Exploration, National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Interests: radio astronomy; techniques and methods; lunar and planetary microwave detection; satellite communications; radar astronomy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Planetary Radar Astronomy is a discipline that utilizes radar electromagnetic waves to study celestial bodies both within and beyond the solar system. It primarily focuses on planets, Moons, and small objects within the solar system, such as Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, and others. Furthermore, it can also be applied to the study of exoplanets and stars outside our solar system. Through the use of planetary electromagnetic wave detection, we gain a better understanding of the internal structures, compositions, distribution of water resources, magnetic fields, atmospheres, and other physical properties of extraterrestrial bodies. This holds significant importance for humanity's search for habitable environments in the solar system.

With development of the Planetary Radar Astronomy field has broadened the spectrum of observational techniques. Observations in the field of Planetary Radar Astronomy heavily rely on ground-based and space-based radar instruments. Over the past decade, with the advancement of deep space exploration, rover-based radar observations have gradually become an indispensable new tool in the field of Planetary Radar Astronomy. For instance, Chinese lunar exploration missions such as Chang'e-3, Chang'e-4, and Chang'e-5, the Mars mission Tianwen-1, and the Perseverance rover mission to Mars all carried in-situ radar instruments.

This special issue primarily caters to the fields of Planetary Radar Astronomy, lunar and planetary science, lunar and planetary radar detection, and radar observations carried by missions like Chang'e-3, Chang'e-4, Chang'e-5, Tianwen-1, and the Perseverance rover mission. It also encompasses radar observations of celestial bodies within and beyond the solar system. We welcome contributions related to these areas, and we are open to submissions on any relevant topics to radar astronomy.

Dr. Chunyu Ding
Prof. Dr. Yan Su
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Universe is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • radar astronomy
  • lunar and planetary science
  • lunar and planetary radar detection
  • lunar and deep space exploration
  • radar observations of planets within the solar system
  • radar observations of planets and stars outside the solar system
  • Chang’e-3/-4/-5, Tianwen-1 mission and perseverance rover mission
  • fast radio bursts magnetar radio emission
  • radio astronomy
  • multi-messenger observations

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 2736 KiB  
Article
Using Machine Learning for Lunar Mineralogy-I: Hyperspectral Imaging of Volcanic Samples
by Fatemeh Fazel Hesar, Mojtaba Raouf, Peyman Soltani, Bernard Foing, Michiel J. A. de Dood and Fons J. Verbeek
Universe 2025, 11(4), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11040117 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 221
Abstract
This study examines the mineral composition of volcanic samples similar to lunar materials, focusing on olivine and pyroxene. Using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) from 400 to 1000 nm, we created data cubes to analyze the reflectance characteristics of samples from Vulcano, a volcanically active [...] Read more.
This study examines the mineral composition of volcanic samples similar to lunar materials, focusing on olivine and pyroxene. Using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) from 400 to 1000 nm, we created data cubes to analyze the reflectance characteristics of samples from Vulcano, a volcanically active island in the Aeolian archipelago, north of Sicily, Italy, categorizing them into nine regions of interest (ROIs) and analyzing spectral data for each. We applied various unsupervised clustering algorithms, including K-Means, hierarchical clustering, Gaussian mixture models (GMMs), and spectral clustering, to classify the spectral profiles. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct spectral signatures associated with specific minerals, facilitating precise identification. The clustering performance varied by region, with K-Means achieving the highest silhouette score of 0.47, whereas GMMs performed poorly with a score of only 0.25. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) aided in identifying similarities among clusters across different methods and reference spectra for olivine and pyroxene. Hierarchical clustering emerged as the most reliable technique, achieving a 94% similarity with the olivine spectrum in one sample, whereas GMMs exhibited notable variability. Overall, the analysis indicated that both the hierarchical and K-Means methods yielded lower errors in total measurements, with K-Means demonstrating superior performance in estimated dispersion and clustering. Additionally, GMMs showed a higher root mean square error (RMSE) compared to the other models. The RMSE analysis confirmed K-Means as the most consistent algorithm across all samples, suggesting a predominance of olivine in the Vulcano region relative to pyroxene. This predominance is likely linked to historical formation conditions similar to volcanic processes on the Moon, where olivine-rich compositions are common in ancient lava flows and impact-melt rocks. These findings provide a deeper context for mineral distribution and formation processes in volcanic landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Planetary Radar Astronomy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 16722 KiB  
Article
Modal Frequency and Damping Identification of the FAST Cabin-Cable System
by Mingzhe Li, Caihong Sun, Qingwei Li and Rui Yao
Universe 2024, 10(12), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10120450 - 7 Dec 2024
Viewed by 756
Abstract
The Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) faces challenges in establishing high-precision rigid connections between the receiver and the reflective surface due to its vast spatial span. Innovatively, FAST suspends the feed cabin in mid-air using six supporting cables. The precise positioning of [...] Read more.
The Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) faces challenges in establishing high-precision rigid connections between the receiver and the reflective surface due to its vast spatial span. Innovatively, FAST suspends the feed cabin in mid-air using six supporting cables. The precise positioning of the feed focal point is achieved through the coordinated control of cable extension and retraction, along with the A-B axis and the Stewart platform within the cabin. The cables and the feed cabin form a large parallel mechanism. Since the cables are flexible, and the feed cabin remains at a high altitude during observations, it is inevitably subject to internal and external disturbances. To quickly dissipate these disturbances, the system requires a certain level of damping, which directly affects the pointing and tracking accuracy of FAST. During the 2022–2023 operational period, there were multiple instances where the pulleys of the curtain mechanism on the supporting cables became stuck and were carried to the top of the towers by the cables. This also led to the phenomenon where the pulleys, after being stuck, would rapidly slide down the cables due to accumulation. At such moments, the cabin-cable system would experience instantaneous excitation, causing vibrations. This study uses the intrinsic time-scale decomposition (ITD) method to analyze the inertial navigation data installed in the cabin during these events, identifying modal frequencies and damping ratios. The analysis results show that the lowest primary vibration frequency of the FAST cabin-cable suspension system ranges from approximately 0.12 to 0.2 Hz, with a damping ratio of no less than 0.004. These data indicate that the current structure of FAST has a strong energy dissipation capability, providing important reference points for improving the control accuracy of FAST and for the upgrade of the feed support system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Planetary Radar Astronomy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 13555 KiB  
Review
Radar Observations of Liquid Water in the South Polar Region of Mars: Indications from Astrobiology Perspectives
by Junyi Zhou, Chunyu Ding, Siting Xiong, Yan Su, Jiawei Li, Mengna Chen and Shun Dai
Universe 2024, 10(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10010043 - 16 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2608
Abstract
In recent decades, extensive research has led to the understanding that Mars once hosted substantial liquid-water reserves. While the current Martian landscape boasts significant water-ice deposits at its North and South poles, the elusive presence of liquid-water bodies has remained undetected. A breakthrough [...] Read more.
In recent decades, extensive research has led to the understanding that Mars once hosted substantial liquid-water reserves. While the current Martian landscape boasts significant water-ice deposits at its North and South poles, the elusive presence of liquid-water bodies has remained undetected. A breakthrough occurred with the identification of radar-echo reflections at the base of the Martian South Pole, using MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding) in 2018. These radar echoes strongly suggest the presence of a highly concentrated liquid-water body. However, a counter-narrative has emerged, contending that the subterranean conditions beneath the ice cap, encompassing factors like temperature and pressure, may be inhospitable to liquid water. Consequently, alternative hypotheses posit that the observed bright echoes could be attributed to conductive minerals or water-absorbing clay-like materials. The ongoing discourse regarding the presence of liquid water beneath the southern polar ice cap is a hot topic in the realm of Martian exploration. The primary focus of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of Martian radar detection, the recent controversies regarding liquid water’s existence in the Martian South Pole, and the implications regarding the potential existence of Martian life forms in the water on Mars. The revelation of liquid water on Mars fundamentally suggests an environment conducive to the viability of Martian life, consequently furnishing invaluable insights for future exploratory endeavors in the pursuit of Martian biospheres. In addition, this paper anticipates the forthcoming research dedicated to Martian liquid water and potential life forms, while also underscoring the profound significance of identifying liquid water on Mars in propelling the field of astrobiology forward. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Planetary Radar Astronomy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop