Terra MODIS Remote Sensing Reflectance Data for Water Analysis

Version 2022.0 of the Terra MODIS Level-3 Remote Sensing Reflectance (RRS) suite provides global mapped data. The data includes variables named by their band center wavelength, such as Rrs_412 and Rrs_443. This reflectance data is a foundational observable used by NASA Earthdata for retrieving oceanographic products.

Use Cases

• Retrieving chlorophyll-a concentration based on remote sensing reflectance
• Calculating diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd_490 based on reflectance data
• Deriving inherent optical properties (IOPs) based on Rrs_λ values
• Validating water-quality models based on satellite-derived reflectance
• Supporting ecosystem monitoring applications based on reflectance data

Strengths

• Data is a Level-3 global mapped product, indicating processed and gridded coverage
• Variables are named by their specific band center wavelength, suggesting spectral specificity
• The dataset is described as a foundational observable for retrieving multiple oceanographic products

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Data may reflect geographic or temporal bias inherent to the MODIS sensor and processing

Provenance

Source

OB_CLOUD

Geography

Global