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Validation of MODIS Aerosol Optical Depth Retrieval Over LandAerosol optical depths are derived operationally for the first time over land in the visible wavelengths by MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) onboard the EOSTerra spacecraft. More than 300 Sun photometer data points from more than 30 AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) sites globally were used in validating the aerosol optical depths obtained during July - September 2000. Excellent agreement is found with retrieval errors within (Delta)tau=+/- 0.05 +/- 0.20 tau, as predicted, over (partially) vegetated surfaces, consistent with pre-launch theoretical analysis and aircraft field experiments. In coastal and semi-arid regions larger errors are caused predominantly by the uncertainty in evaluating the surface reflectance. The excellent fit was achieved despite the ongoing improvements in instrument characterization and calibration. This results show that MODIS-derived aerosol optical depths can be used quantitatively in many applications with cautions for residual clouds, snow/ice, and water contamination.
Document ID
20010119957
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Chu, D. A. (Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Greenbelt, MD United States)
Kaufman, Y. J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Ichoku, C. (Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Greenbelt, MD United States)
Remer, L. A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Tanre, D. (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Villeneuve d'Ascq France)
Holben, B. N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Einaudi, Franco
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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