MODIS Images

The MODderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) flies onboard NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites as part of the NASA-centered international Earth Observing System (EOS). Both satellites orbit the Earth from pole to pole, seeing most of the globe every day with Terra on a descending orbit (southward) over the equator about 10:30 local sun time, and Aqua on an ascending orbit (northward) over the equator about 13:30 local sun time (Figure 1), i.e., onboard Terra, MODIS sees the Earth during the morning, while Aqua MODIS orbits the Earth in the afternoon.

Figure 1. AQUA MODIS predicted passes for 1 April 2008.

From a vantage about 700 km above the surface and a ±55° view scan, each MODIS views the earth with a swath about 2330 km, thereby observing nearly the entire globe on a daily basis, and repeat orbits every 16 days. Each scan is 10 km along track. MODIS performs measurements in the solar to thermal infrared spectrum region from 0.41 to 14.235 μm. Detailed specifications and components can be found at MODIS webpage. The images are courtesy of MODIS Rapid Response Project at NASA/GSFC.

True-color, photo-like imagery and false-color imagery are available within a few hours of being collected and the science community uses these images in projects like the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), which studies particles like smoke, pollution, or dust in the atmosphere.

The images shown here are collected directly from the AERONET Data Synergy Tool of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.