Geologic context is crucial for interpreting findings from space samples.

“Without the context of the rock, you may not be able to interpret your results.”

Radar is necessary to determine the precise size and shape of near-Earth asteroids because optical telescopes only see them as points of light.

“with radar there are two things that we do with radar one is we ping them so we you know bounce off our little flashlights uh microwaves off the asteroid which gives us exactly very precise location where it is uh with respect to us so line of sight distance and then we also always say you know uh i”