MODIS/Aqua Daily Global Aerosol Optical Thickness at 0.05-Degree Resolution

Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) measurements are derived from MODIS/Aqua satellite data. The dataset provides daily Level 3 global composites in a 0.05-degree spatial resolution grid. It is produced by NASA's LANCE/MODIS system from MYD09IDN, MYD09IDT, and MYD09IDS source products.

Use Cases

• Analyzing spatial patterns of aerosol optical thickness across the 0.05-degree global grid to map particulate pollution.
• Correlating daily AOT values with cloud-free, low solar zenith angle conditions flagged during the compositing process.
• Tracking temporal changes in aerosol concentration using the daily Level 3 composite product derived from multiple orbital source datasets.
• Studying the relationship between band 3 (459-479 nm) reflectance minima and derived aerosol optical thickness for validation.
• Integrating global AOT data with other climate variables for radiative forcing and atmospheric modeling.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage with a consistent 0.05-degree grid resolution.
• Daily temporal resolution provides frequent observations for trend analysis.
• Derived from multiple validated MODIS/Aqua source products (MYD09IDN, MYD09IDT, MYD09IDS).
• Cloud and high solar zenith angle pixels are excluded to improve data quality.

Limitations

• Specific row count, file size, and temporal coverage range are unknown.
• Data accuracy depends on the cloud flagging and compositing algorithm, which may introduce biases.
• The Near Real Time (NRT) product may have lower validation compared to standard science products.

Provenance

Source

NASA LANCE/MODIS system.

Collection Method

Derived by compositing MODIS/Aqua orbital data (MYD09IDN, MYD09IDT, MYD09IDS) based on minimum band 3 values, excluding cloud and high solar zenith angle pixels.

Freshness

Daily updates (Near Real Time).

Geography

Global.