Book 18, Question 129
How Can Radar See Through Ice?
Radar can see through ice because radio waves travel through it! The waves bounce off the rock below and come back as echoes. Timing the echoes shows how thick the ice is.
More fun facts
- Ice-penetrating radar sends radio waves into the ice.
- The waves bounce off features inside and under the ice.
- Scientists use it to measure ice thickness and find lakes beneath glaciers.
- Satellite radar can see sea ice at night and through clouds.
- NASA's Europa Clipper uses the same idea to peer through the ice on Jupiter's moon Europa.
Sources: NASA Science, NASA Science, NASA
Questions kids ask
Can radar see sea ice at night?
Yes. Satellite radar can see sea ice at night and through clouds.