Tweet
Dan Blumberg and Julian Daniels of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel decided to
test the idea. They buried flat squares of aluminium at different depths under the sand in the
Negev desert, then flew an aircraft over the area to carry out radar sensing of the layers beneath
the surface.
By comparing the radar results with the squares' known positions, the researchers showed that the
patterns detected by the radar really did show the buried pieces of metal. 'Now we have systematic
proof,' Blumberg told New Scientist. 'Buried objects can be detected from airborne systems.'
For their experiments, they use microwaves of the longest possible wavelength, called P-band (see
Graphic). At the moment, satellites generally use microwaves with shorter wavelengths because the
resolution is better. But P-band radiation can penetrate farther underground, so Blumberg hopes that
adding it to satellite sensors will allow them to probe deeper, perhaps up to 9 metres down.
'Using the P-band is quite new,' says Andrew Wilson, a remote-sensing expert for Britain's Natural
Environment Research Council. 'It can penetrate the ground farther, so it would be good at revealing
archaeological objects.'
test the idea. They buried flat squares of aluminium at different depths under the sand in the
Negev desert, then flew an aircraft over the area to carry out radar sensing of the layers beneath
the surface.
By comparing the radar results with the squares' known positions, the researchers showed that the
patterns detected by the radar really did show the buried pieces of metal. 'Now we have systematic
proof,' Blumberg told New Scientist. 'Buried objects can be detected from airborne systems.'
For their experiments, they use microwaves of the longest possible wavelength, called P-band (see
Graphic). At the moment, satellites generally use microwaves with shorter wavelengths because the
resolution is better. But P-band radiation can penetrate farther underground, so Blumberg hopes that
adding it to satellite sensors will allow them to probe deeper, perhaps up to 9 metres down.
'Using the P-band is quite new,' says Andrew Wilson, a remote-sensing expert for Britain's Natural
Environment Research Council. 'It can penetrate the ground farther, so it would be good at revealing
archaeological objects.'
Comment