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Characterizing Aerosol from Space with the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua Satellites

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Handbook of Air Quality and Climate Change

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Abstract

Aerosols, the small, suspended liquid and solid particles in the atmosphere, have myriad effects on climate, weather, and air quality. When the NASA Earth-Observing System’s (EOS) Terra and Aqua satellites launched in 1999 and 2002, they each included advanced sensors that have been used for aerosol research. In particular, the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) deployed on both satellites, has provided key data relating to aerosol loading and relative aerosol type on the global scale. Three different algorithms, known as “Dark Target,” “Deep Blue,” and “MAIAC,” use different subsets of MODIS measurements and different assumptions to create various products such as Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), fine mode fraction (FMF), and single scattering albedo (SSA). Although all three derive AOD in cloud-free conditions, each algorithm has different strengths and weaknesses in different areas of the globe and under different conditions. Here, we provide a short summary of each algorithm, description of products, and basic information about downloading and using the products. We also provide some examples of how MODIS aerosol products are used. Finally, we add a quick discussion about how these algorithms and products will continue after MODIS leaves orbit.

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Acknowledgments

This work was a “labor of love” which included participation by the entire Dark Target aerosol retrieval team. As co-authors, L. Remer, Y. Shi, and R. Kleidman took the lead for text and figures while helping to consolidate contributions by group members Pawan Gupta, Mijin Kim, Yaping Zhou, Virginia Sawyer and Santiago Gassó. Without Shana Mattoo, our group’s lead-programmer for 40 years, we would have no aerosol product. And without the late Yoram Kaufman, we may not have had a roadmap for creating such a product. This work was funded by NASA, currently under Senior Review (Algorithm Maintenance) support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Climate and Radiation Laboratory, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA

    Robert C. Levy

  2. Joint Center for Earth system Technology (JCET), University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Lorraine A. Remer

  3. Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR) II, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Yingxi Shi

  4. Science Systems and Applications, Inc., Lanham, Maryland, USA

    Richard G. Kleidman

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  1. Robert C. Levy
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  2. Lorraine A. Remer
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  3. Yingxi Shi
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  4. Richard G. Kleidman
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The Dark Target Team

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Correspondence to Robert C. Levy .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Hajime Akimoto

  2. National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Hiroshi Tanimoto

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© 2023 This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply

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Levy, R.C., Remer, L.A., Shi, Y., Kleidman, R.G., The Dark Target Team. (2023). Characterizing Aerosol from Space with the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua Satellites. In: Akimoto, H., Tanimoto, H. (eds) Handbook of Air Quality and Climate Change. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2760-9_60

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