Solar system studies with the Arecibo planetary radar system

The 305 m Arecibo telescope equipped with a 1 MW 2.38 GHz transmitter is used for studies of the terrestrial planets, planetary satellites including the Moon and small bodies in the solar system. Much of the recent program emphasis has been on astrometric and characterization observations of near-Earth objects for which the Arecibo radar system has capabilities not matched by any other Earth-based telescope. However, studies of the surfaces of Mercury, the Moon and Mars continue and renewed observations of Venus are planned.