The MODIS Aerosol Algorithm, Products, and Validation

• DOI: 10.1175/jas3385.1
• Publication Date: 2005-04-29T11:52:23Z
• Authors: 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
• Keywords: AERONET; Moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer; Effective radius; Angstrom exponent; Optical depth; Spectroradiometer

Abstract The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard both NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites is making near-global daily observations of the earth in a wide spectral range (0.41–15 μm). These measurements are used to derive aerosol optical thickness size parameters over land ocean. products available include at three visible wavelengths, measure fraction attributed fine mode, several derived including reflected solar flux top atmosphere. Over ocean, provided seven wavelengths from 0.47 2.13 μm. In addition, quantitative information includes effective radius mode. Spectral irradiance contributed by aerosol, mass concentration, number cloud condensation nuclei round out list ocean validated comparison with two years Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data gleaned 132 AERONET stations. Eight thousand MODIS retrievals collocated confirm that one standard deviation fall within predicted uncertainty Δτ = ±0.03 ±0.05τ ±0.05 ± 0.15τ land. Two hundred seventy-one inversions island coastal sites suggest falls Δreff ±0.11 accuracy suggests product can be help narrow uncertainties associated radiative forcing global climate.