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Guide to Second Sun
Shade Map Analysis!

Understanding light distribution across a golf course is essential for maintaining healthy, high-performing turf. Second Sun’s Shade Map Analysis tool provides in-depth insights into how sunlight interacts with your course throughout the day and across different seasons. By leveraging these tools, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize turf health, reduce stress on shaded areas, and improve overall course sustainability.

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This guide will walk you through identifying shaded areas on your course and understanding how trees, structures, and terrain impact light exposure. By utilizing this feature, course managers can implement effective maintenance strategies, adjust irrigation and fertilization schedules, and make informed decisions about pruning or tree removal to enhance light access. Let's dive into this feature in detail.

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Shade Map

A Shade or Irradiation Map is a visual representation of shaded areas on your golf course throughout the day. It helps in understanding how trees, structures, and other objects affect sunlight exposure on different parts of the course, which is crucial for maintaining healthy turf.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Access the Irradiation Map Feature: 

After logging in and selecting your golf course, you will land on the Irradiation Map page by default. Understand the buttons and their functions, to efficiently navigate the Irradiation Map and leverage the data for informed course management decisions.​

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Here’s how to navigate it efficiently:

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  • Navigation Button: Located at the top left, this button allows you to select your preferred settings to navigate the shade patterns.

  • Legend Button: Found in the top right corner, this button provides explanations for color-coded data on the map, helping you interpret irradiation and shade distribution correctly.

  • Map View Button: Positioned in the lower right, this feature allows you to switch between different map views (e.g., satellite view, shadow map, or course map) for better visualization of your course layout.

  • Current Data Display: At the bottom center, this section shows real-time information on your selected location when hovering on the map, including irradiation  %  levels, selected month, time selection, and the latest date of the DSM data in use.

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2. Select preferred settings: Choose a specific month, time selection, and color display to analyze shade patterns, considering seasonal variations.

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  • Time Selection: Use the slider to select a month from January to December.

  • Daily Sunlight Periods: You can select a full-day view or specific time segments to understand shading at different times of the day.​​

    • Midday Only: 10:30 to 13:30

    • Afternoon Only: 13:30 to 18:30

  • Morning Only: 5:30 to 10:30

  • Full Day: Sunlight across the selected month.

  • Color Display Options:

    • Tricolor:

      • Red (0-20%): Areas that are mostly in the shadow

      • Yellow (20-80%): Areas that are mostly in partial sunlight 

      • Green (80-100%): Areas that are mostly in sunlight

    • Rainbow: Provides a more detailed gradient of shading levels for precise visualization.

      • 0% - areas that are always in shadow

      • 100% - areas that are always in the sun​

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3. View Shade Patterns: The platform will display a map highlighting shaded and sunlit areas based on the selected time and color display.

  • Zoom and Explore Key Areas of Interest:

  • Zoom into specific greens that are showing high shade density (red/yellow areas).

  • Use the color legend on the right-hand side to interpret the values.

  • Hover over specific areas to see value changes in real-time.​

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  • Use Different Map Views for Context:

  • Toggle between Course Map, Irradiation Map, and Satellite View to better understand the impact of shade on terrain and tree distribution.

  • This helps visualize whether shade is coming from trees, terrain elevation, or other obstructions.​

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Tips for Best Use:

  • Simulate Tree Removal: Identify trees causing excessive shade and simulate their removal to visualize potential improvements in sunlight distribution.

  • Analyze Impact: Assess how changes in shade patterns affect turf health and make informed decisions on tree management or course modifications.

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