What are radio telescopes equipped with transmitters called?

Radio telescopes equipped with transmitters are referred to as radar telescopes. This designation comes from the dual capability of these instruments, which not only receive radio waves but also send out transmitted signals. The ability to transmit allows them to measure the time it takes for the signals to return, providing valuable information about the distance and characteristics of objects in space.

In contrast, optical telescopes specifically focus on capturing visible light and do not operate in the radio frequency range. Infrared telescopes are designed to detect infrared radiation, which is a different aspect of the electromagnetic spectrum. Microwave telescopes focus on even longer wavelengths than standard radio telescopes but do not necessarily include a transmitting function. Thus, radar telescopes stand out due to their unique feature of both transmitting and receiving data, making them essential for certain types of astronomical measurements and research.