the Tanager Flexible Methane QuickLook and Tanager Assured Methane QuickLook products require specific, optimal lighting conditions to ensure the highest possible reliability and accuracy of the methane detection analysis. This requirement necessitates a stricter capture criteria than our standard Tanager imagery products.
To guarantee the reliability of the specialized methane data, our Methane QuickLook products have a maximum acceptable Solar Zenith Angle (SZA) limit.
Standard Tanager Products: Max SZA is typically 80° (minimum 10° Sun Elevation).
Tanager Methane QuickLook Products: The required limit is a Max SZA of 45° (a minimum 45° Sun Elevation).
Why the Restriction? The 45° SZA limit is strictly enforced because poor lighting conditions severely compromise the accuracy of the methane detection algorithms. We restrict captures under subpar lighting to ensure customers only receive reliable, high-quality analysis.
Customers attempting to place an order may encounter system messages that reference both 25° and 45° Sun Elevation values, which has caused confusion.
The 45° Sun Elevation (Max 45° SZA) is the official, required minimum threshold for successful methane detection capture.
We recognize that the system's current warning and rejection messages may reference a lower 25° Sun Elevation value. We are actively addressing this internal messaging inconsistency to ensure all communications clearly and consistently reflect the mandatory 45° Sun Elevation minimum.
Geographic and Seasonal Availability
This necessary 45° SZA restriction directly impacts where and when Methane QuickLook captures are possible:
Seasonal Impact: During winter months (approximately November through February, in northern hemisphere), the Sun Elevation in many higher-latitude regions (such as much of Europe) consistently remains below the required 45°.
Recommendation: Methane monitoring capabilities are seasonal in these regions. We strongly recommend planning your Methane QuickLook orders for periods when the sun angle is high: late spring, summer, and early fall.
Comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.