Editing Beacon (section)

{{Short description|Device used to attract attention}}
{{for-multi|the fire signal|Beacon (signal fire)|other uses|Beacon (disambiguation)}}
A '''beacon''' is an intentionally conspicuous device designed to attract attention to a [[Geodetic datum|specific location]]. A common example is the [[lighthouse]], which draws attention to a fixed point that can be used to navigate around obstacles or into port. More modern examples include a variety of [[radio beacon]]s that can be read on [[radio direction finder]]s in all weather, and [[Transponder|radar transponder]]s that appear on [[radar]] displays.

Beacons can also be combined with semaphoric or other indicators to provide important [[information]], such as the status of an airport, by the colour and rotational pattern of its [[aerodrome beacon|airport beacon]], or of pending weather as indicated on a [[weather beacon]] mounted at the top of a tall building or similar site. When used in such fashion, beacons can be considered a form of [[Telegraph#Optical telegraph|optical telegraphy]].