Radar bands (C-band, L-band)

The wavelength a radar uses. C-band (~5.6 cm, e.g. Sentinel-1) reflects off the top of vegetation; L-band (~24 cm, e.g. NISAR) penetrates canopy to the ground and trunks.

Why it matters

Longer wavelengths see deeper. L-band’s penetration enables biomass and deep-deformation measurements that C-band can’t match; C-band’s shorter revisit suits rapid surface monitoring.

In plain terms

Like choosing a flashlight color: shorter waves skim the surface, longer waves push through leaves to what’s underneath.