“Asteroid Radar Astronomy: How Cornell University Scientists & Engineers Have Enabled Exquisite Studies of Asteroids”

In his 1958 publication describing the scientific prospects of a powerful Earth-based radar, William E.  Gordon anticipated the detection of bodies spanning over 25 orders of magnitude in size, from
electrons to meteors, planets, and the sun.  Gordon's legacy is the 305-m diameter Arecibo Observatory, the largest telescope on Earth and a monument to human curiosity.  Following Cornell-led upgrades, its planetary radar has become the most powerful tool to characterize the
physical properties and dynamics of many Near-Earth Asteroids.  This characterization is essential in multiple contexts: scientific understanding of the asteroid population, impact hazard mitigation,
human exploration, and resource utilization.  This presentation will review the tremendous impact of the Arecibo radar on asteroid studies.