Skip to main content

MCST Banner Image

MODIS Calibration General Information

The MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) is dedicated to the production of a high quality MODIS calibration product. This product is a precursor to every geophysical science product. MCST works for the Science Team Leader and is responsible for developing and maintaining the calibration product (L1B algorithm). MCST is responsible for developing the physical basis for sensor calibration.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), is an imaging radiometer employing multiple in-track detectors and a cross-track scan mirror and collecting optics, and a set of individual detector elements which will provide imagery of the Earth’s surface and cloud cover in 36 discrete spectral bands. Contiguous scan swaths of 2330km in cross-track by 10km in-track are acquired to provide 2-day repeat observations of the Earth. Its task is to develop a detailed understanding of the Earth and the dynamics of global change.

MODIS is the keystone instrument on the Terra mission, launched on December 18, 1999, and also on the Aqua mission, launched May 4, 2002. The EOS Project is designed to collect data for 15 years in order to differentiate short-term and long-term trends, as well as, regional and global phenomena.

MODIS Instrument Views

MODIS External cutaway

 

Exploded View of MODIS Subsystems

MODIS Subsystems

MODIS Specifications

Primary Use Band Bandwidth1 Spectral
Radiance2
Required
SNR3
Land/Cloud/Aerosols
Boundaries
1 620 - 670 21.8 128
2 841 - 876 24.7 201
Land/Cloud/Aerosols
Properties
3 459 - 479 35.3 243
4 545 - 565 29.0 228
5 1230 - 1250 5.4 74
6 1628 - 1652 7.3 275
7 2105 - 2155 1.0 110
Ocean Color/
Phytoplankton/
Biogeochemistry
8 405 - 420 44.9 880
9 438 - 448 41.9 838
10 483 - 493 32.1 802
11 526 - 536 27.9 754
12 546 - 556 21.0 750
13 662 - 672 9.5 910
14 673 - 683 8.7 1087
15 743 - 753 10.2 586
16 862 - 877 6.2 516
Atmospheric
Water Vapor
17 890 - 920 10.0 167
18 931 - 941 3.6 57
19 915 - 965 15.0 250
 
Primary Use Band Bandwidth1 Spectral
Radiance2
Required
NE[delta]T(K)4
Surface/Cloud
Temperature
20 3.660 - 3.840 0.45(300K) 0.05
21 3.929 - 3.989 2.38(335K) 0.20
22 3.929 - 3.989 0.67(300K) 0.07
23 4.020 - 4.080 0.79(300K) 0.07
Atmospheric
Temperature
24 4.433 - 4.498 0.17(250K) 0.25
25 4.482 - 4.549 0.59(275K) 0.25
Cirrus Clouds
Water Vapor
26 1.360 - 1.390 6.00 150(SNR)
27 6.535 - 6.895 1.16(240K) 0.25
28 7.175 - 7.475 2.18(250K) 0.25
Cloud Properties 29 8.400 - 8.700 9.58(300K) 0.05
Ozone 30 9.580 - 9.880 3.69(250K) 0.25
Surface/Cloud
Temperature
31 10.780 - 11.280 9.55(300K) 0.05
32 11.770 - 12.270 8.94(300K) 0.05
Cloud Top
Altitude
33 13.185 - 13.485 4.52(260K) 0.25
34 13.485 - 13.785 3.76(250K) 0.25
35 13.785 - 14.085 3.11(240K) 0.25
36 14.085 - 14.385 2.08(220K) 0.35
 
1 Bands 1 to 19 are in nm; Bands 20 to 36 are in µm
2 Spectral Radiance values are (W/m2 -µm-sr)
3 SNR = Signal-to-noise ratio
4 NE(delta)T = Noise-equivalent temperature difference

Note: Performance goal is 30-40% better than required