What Is MODIS?

I post artwork from the MODIS instrument package from time to time and several have asked what exactly is it ... Here is a brief description for their website.

MODIS (or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) is a key instrument aboard the Terra (EOS AM) and Aqua (EOS PM) satellites. Terra's orbit around the Earth is timed so that it passes from north to south across the equator in the morning, while Aqua passes south to north over the equator in the afternoon. Terra MODIS and Aqua MODIS are viewing the entire Earth's surface every 1 to 2 days, acquiring data in 36 spectral bands, or groups of wavelengths (see MODIS Technical Specifications). These data will improve our understanding of global dynamics and processes occurring on the land, in the oceans, and in the lower atmosphere. MODIS is playing a vital role in the development of validated, global, interactive Earth system models able to predict global change accurately enough to assist policy makers in making sound decisions concerning the protection of our environment.

MODIS is an Earth sciences instrument package aboard two different satellites, Terra and Aqua in similar but counter rotating orbits. The first MODIS Flight Instrument, ProtoFlight Model or PFM, is aboard the Terra (EOS AM-1) spacecraft. Terra successfully launched on December 18, 1999. The second MODIS flight instrument, Flight Model 1 or FM1, is aboard the Aqua (EOS PM-1) spacecraft; it was successfully launched on May 4, 2002. These MODIS instruments offer an unprecedented look at terrestrial, atmospheric, and ocean phenomenology for a wide and diverse community of users throughout the world.

A MODIS Image of the Day Dashboard Widget is now available for download for use with Mac OS X. Download this widget, and enjoy the ease of viewing the IOTD from your desktop

The MODIS Brochure (27 MB PDF file that requires Adobe Acrobat) is a non-technical description of the MODIS mission and the scientific questions being investigated by it.

There is a 6-minute QuickTime Movie describing MODIS and its mission - both a large, hi-resolution version (34 MB) and a smaller, faster-downloading version (3.5 MB).

To read about one of the most recent discoveries made by the Aqua satellite, the computer models for global warming have it all wrong, read this article "Climate facts to warm to".

I will have more on this recent discovery that disproves the whole notion of CO2 caused global warming. meanwhile, if you want more information, I suggest the book Climate Confusion by Dr Roy Spencer as a place to start.