- RESEARCH BRIEFINGS
Twelve methane-sensing satellites were tested for their accuracy in measuring controlled-release events in the Arizona desert over a year-long blind test. Many were found to detect and quantify releases accurately, with instruments purpose-built for methane sensing performing best.
This is a summary of: Reuland, F. E. et al. Evaluating space-based methane detection through a one-year blind test. Nature 658, 673–681 (2026).
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-03075-2
‘Expert opinion’ is published under a CC BY 4.0 licence.
References
Jacob, D. J. et al. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 22, 9617–9646 (2022).
Sherwin, E. D. et al. Atmos. Meas. Tech. 17, 765–782 (2024).
El Abbadi, S. H. et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 58, 9591–9600 (2024).
Reuland, F., Adams, T., Galvin, K., Kort, E. A. & Brandt, A. R. Available at Stanford Digital Repository https://doi.org/10.25740/qh001qt3946 (2025).
Related Articles
-
Read the paper: Evaluating space-based methane detection through a one-year blind test
-
A global picture of methane emissions from rivers and streams
Cause of the 2020 surge in atmospheric methane clarified
