Terra Satellite Atmospheric Water Vapor Measurements at 1km and 5km Resolution

Global atmospheric column water-vapor amounts derived from the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite. The product uses two algorithms: a daytime near-infrared method for 1km resolution over land and clouds, and a day-night infrared method for 5km resolution over clear areas. Data is produced by NASA's MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS) and distributed by LAADS.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of total precipitable water vapor derived from near-infrared channels over land.
• Compare day-night water vapor variability using infrared algorithm profiles generated at 5km resolution.
• Study water vapor estimates over sun glint areas on clear ocean surfaces from the near-infrared retrievals.
• Integrate infrared-derived precipitable water vapor data from MOD07 into MOD05 for combined atmospheric analysis.

Strengths

• Two distinct retrieval algorithms (near-infrared and infrared) provide complementary data.
• High spatial resolutions of 1km and 5km for detailed atmospheric analysis.
• Data is part of an improved Collection 6.1 (061) addressing issues in prior versions.

Limitations

• Near-infrared algorithm is only applicable during daytime and over specific surfaces.
• Near-infrared algorithm refinement is no longer supported by NASA for Collection 6.1.
• Infrared algorithm requires at least nine cloud-free field of views to generate 5km data.

Provenance

Source

NASA's Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite.

Collection Method

Remote sensing measurements processed by the MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS).

Geography

Global