New Constraints on Macroscopic Dark Matter Using Radar Meteor Detectors

Understand

We show that dark-matter candidates with large masses and large nuclear interaction cross sections are detectable with terrestrial radar systems.

• We develop our results in close comparison to successful radar searches for tiny meteoroids, aggregates of ordinary matter.
• The path of a meteoroid (or suitable dark-matter particle) through the atmosphere produces ionization deposits that reflect incident radio waves.
• We calculate the equivalent radar echoing area or `radar cross section' for dark matter.