Terra MODIS Apparent Visible Wavelength for Global Ocean Color, 2022.0

Apparent Visible Wavelength (AVW) quantifies the spectral center of ocean color from water-leaving reflectance. This NASA EarthData product, version 2022.0, provides a single geophysical variable measured in nanometers for global waters. It is produced by the OB_CLOUD organization using Terra MODIS satellite data.

Use Cases

• Classifying water types based on spectral properties described in the summary.
• Guiding chlorophyll-a retrieval algorithm selection based on the apparent visible wavelength.
• Detecting regional changes in ocean optical complexity influenced by phytoplankton or sediments.
• Providing contextual analysis alongside other ocean-color variables like chlor_a and Kd_490.

Strengths

• Derived from the established Terra MODIS satellite sensor.
• Provides a specific, physics-based metric (AVW in nanometers) for ocean color analysis.
• Designed for global coverage of ocean waters.

Limitations

• Row count, file formats, and sample data are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Interpretations can vary in optically complex coastal and inland waters, as noted in the description.

Provenance

Source

NASA EarthData (OB_CLOUD organization).

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the Terra MODIS instrument.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Version 2022.0 indicates a specific release, but the last update date is unknown.

Geography

Global ocean coverage.