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Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) |  |
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The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument, which was launched on the Terra platform December 18th, 1999, is designed to observe and monitor the surface of the Earth. The second MODIS instrument was successfully launched with the Aqua satellite on May 4, 2002. Terra's orbit around the Earth is timed so that it passes from north to south across the equator in the morning (10.30 AM), while Aqua passes south to north over the equator in the afternoon (1.30 PM). MODIS belongs to a new generation of sensors that collect data across a wide spectral range, moderate spatial resolution (250m –1km), and near daily global coverage. MODIS images the Earth with a swath width of 2,330 km in 36 spectral bands ranging from 0.405 to 14.385 µm. It takes measurements at three spatial resolutions: 250 m, 500 m, and 1.000 m.
MODIS Spectral Characteristics
| Band # |
Wavelength Range |
Spatial Resolution |
Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
620 - 670 nm |
250 m |
Land/cloud/aerosols boundaries |
| 2 |
841 - 876 nm |
250 m |
|
| 3 |
459 - 479 nm |
500 m |
Land/cloud/aerosols properties |
| 4 |
545 - 565 nm |
500 m |
|
| 5 |
1230 - 1250 nm |
500 m |
|
| 6 |
1628 - 1652 nm |
500 m |
|
| 7 |
2105 - 2155 nm |
500 m |
|
| 8 |
405 - 420 µm |
1,000 m |
Ocean color/phytoplancton/biochemistry |
| 9 |
438 - 448 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 10 |
483 - 493 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 11 |
526 - 536 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 12 |
546 - 556 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 13 |
662 - 672 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 14 |
673 - 683 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 15 |
743 - 753 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 16 |
862 - 877 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 17 |
890 - 920 µm |
1,000 m |
Atmospheric water vapor |
| 18 |
931 - 941 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 19 |
915 - 965 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 20 |
3.660 - 3.840 µm |
1,000 m |
Surface/cloud temperature |
| 21 |
3.929 - 3.989 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 22 |
3.929 - 3.989 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 23 |
4.020 - 4.080 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 24 |
4.433 - 4.498 µm |
1,000 m |
Atmospheric temperature |
| 25 |
4.482 - 4.549 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 26 |
1.360 - 1.390 µm |
1,000 m |
Cirrus clouds/water vapor |
| 27 |
6.535 - 6.895 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 28 |
7.175 - 7.475 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 29 |
8.400 - 8.700 µm |
1,000 m |
Cloud properties |
| 30 |
9.580 - 9.880 µm |
1,000 m |
Ozone |
| 31 |
10.780 - 11.280 µm |
1,000 m |
Surface/cloud temperature |
| 32 |
11.770 - 12.270 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 33 |
13.185 - 13.485 µm |
1,000 m |
Cloud top altitude |
| 34 |
13.485 - 13.785 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 35 |
13.785 - 14.085 µm |
1,000 m |
|
| 36 |
14.085 - 14.385 µm |
1,000 m |
(source: http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/about/specs.html)
These MODIS data (e.g. vegetation index) will improve our understanding of global and regional dynamics and processes occurring on the land, in the oceans, and in the lower atmosphere. MODIS is paramount in the development of validated, global, interactive Earth system models and data able to predict and monitor global change accurately enough to assist resource managers and policy makers in making sound decisions concerning the use and protection of our environment. http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/.
MODIS data may be ordered through the EROS Data Center at http://edcimswww.cr.usgs.gov/pub/imswelcome/.
See MODIS Web, TERRA, or AQUA for more information.
