As of 1.0, you can create an Ore Detector at an Agricultural Station .
When used, a green circle is emitted which temporarily highlights any ores in a block color: From my testing, this seems to highlight all ores but coal.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/54474/SirBenet
Actually, there is a way to do this.
If you have the matter manipulator out, it highlights any blocks the cursor is over, even if it's out of mining range.
This allows you to see any block on the screen simply by mousing over it.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/15092/SaintWacko
Nope, no such technology exists.
The best you can do is light the dirt to see about 6-8 blocks into it.
Beyond that, you're better off just looking underground.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/55285/Zibbobz
I know this probably isn't what you're looking for
but there is another way to find ores in the ground without having to create anything or using the matter manipulator to see
, that is to use the command /fullbright
having admin privilege.
(I don't recommend that, it would spoil the fun)
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/152865/Foami
If you're into mods, there are alternatives to the Ore Detector .
The Illuminated Ores removes the need for a detector and instead makes all ores glow and thus revealing their positions.
Alternatively, the Ground-penetrating Radar Station works the same as an Ore detector, but shows a wider range and is stationary (without digging it up and placing it again of course).
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/75275/aytimothy
Can we create a kind of sonar / scanner to scan for deep resources ?
Starbound - Any way to detect mineral in the ground without having to dig?
gaming.stackexchange.com
<starbound>
gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/150832
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/66630/lotirthos227
you can create an  Ore Detector at an Agricultural Station, if you have the matter manipulator out, it highlights any blocks the cursor is over, even if it's out of mining range. The  Illuminated Ores removes the need for a detector and instead makes all ores glow and thus revealing their positions.   It seems that the most common way to detect ores is using tools, such as ore detector.
The community lists the available ways of doing so. While a user is implying that there is no way to do such a thing. Someone is suggesting the usage of mods.