The MODIS Aerosol Algorithm, Products, and Validation

The MODIS Aerosol Algorithm, Products, and Validation

APRIL 2005 | L. A. REMER, Y. J. KAUFMAN, D. TANRÉ, S. MATTOO, D. A. CHU, J. V. MARTINS, R-R. LI, C. ICHOKU, R. C. LEVY, R. G. KLEIDMAN, T. F. ECK, E. VERMOTE, B. N. HOLBEN
This paper presents the development and validation of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol algorithms, which are used to derive aerosol optical thickness and size parameters over land and ocean. The algorithms are designed to work with MODIS data from both NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, covering a wide spectral range from 0.41 to 15 μm. Over land, MODIS provides aerosol optical thickness at three visible wavelengths, the fraction of optical thickness attributed to the fine mode, and several derived parameters such as reflected spectral solar flux. Over the ocean, MODIS provides aerosol optical thickness in seven wavelengths from 0.47 to 2.13 μm, along with quantitative aerosol size information and spectral irradiance contributed by the aerosol. The accuracy of the MODIS retrievals is validated using two years of data from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations, showing that the standard deviation of MODIS optical thickness retrievals falls within the predicted uncertainty. The paper also discusses the evolution of the algorithms, including improvements in cloud and sediment masking, and the handling of heavy dust over glint. The validation results suggest that the MODIS product can help narrow uncertainties associated with aerosol radiative forcing of global climate.This paper presents the development and validation of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol algorithms, which are used to derive aerosol optical thickness and size parameters over land and ocean. The algorithms are designed to work with MODIS data from both NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, covering a wide spectral range from 0.41 to 15 μm. Over land, MODIS provides aerosol optical thickness at three visible wavelengths, the fraction of optical thickness attributed to the fine mode, and several derived parameters such as reflected spectral solar flux. Over the ocean, MODIS provides aerosol optical thickness in seven wavelengths from 0.47 to 2.13 μm, along with quantitative aerosol size information and spectral irradiance contributed by the aerosol. The accuracy of the MODIS retrievals is validated using two years of data from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations, showing that the standard deviation of MODIS optical thickness retrievals falls within the predicted uncertainty. The paper also discusses the evolution of the algorithms, including improvements in cloud and sediment masking, and the handling of heavy dust over glint. The validation results suggest that the MODIS product can help narrow uncertainties associated with aerosol radiative forcing of global climate.
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Understanding The MODIS Aerosol Algorithm%2C Products%2C and Validation