Description

This characteristic of sensor behavior is called sensor Response versus Scan Angle (RVS). In the MODIS Earth View sector (the portion of the scan pointing toward Earth in normal operation), the scan angle varies from -55 degrees at beginning of scan to +55 degrees at end of scan.

Impact to L1B Data Set

Stripes in L1B products which appear from one scan lie (10 km along-track displacement at nadir) to the following scan line. These stripes are imperceptible at the scan angle about midway between nadir and end of scan, but become more easily observable at angles increasing from the scan angle midway between nadir and end of scan.

Estimated Impact to L2 Science Products

Stripes in L2 products which appear from one scan lie (10 km along-track displacement at nadir) to the following scan line. Product accuracy is a function of mirror side and scan angle position within the MODIS field of view. Ocean color investigators have reported instances of product banding characteristics over 20 km along-track displacements (or double scan lines) varying with scan mirror angle of incidence.

Cause of Effect

The effect is the result of mirror side differences in RVS. On the ground, we used the measured response to the SIS at different scan angles. There is probably a mirror-side dependence to the mirror degradation as the thin film coating is solarized.

Mitigation Approach/Added Testing to Characterize Effect

N/A.

Estimated Schedule to Complete

N/A

History of Characteristic