A recent study presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting 2025 in Durham, England, suggests that airport and military radar systems could be broadcasting Earth's presence to potential extraterrestrial observers.
Researchers found that the combined radio signals from global aviation hubs, such as New York City's JFK and London's Heathrow, emit approximately 2x10^15 watts. This level of emission could be detectable up to 200 light-years away.
Military radar systems, with their focused and directional signals, create unique patterns that could appear up to a hundred times stronger from certain points in space. The findings highlight how human technology might be observed and offer insights into protecting the radio spectrum.