Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is a satellite-based sensor used for earth and climate measurements. There are two MODIS sensors in <a href="/facts/Geocentric_orbit/geC4BF1x">Earth orbit</a>: one on board the <a href="/facts/Terra_(satellite)/HFQuzF66">Terra</a> (<a href="/facts/Earth_Observing_System/DvojMWq5">EOS</a> AM) satellite, launched by <a href="/facts/NASA/TIMCV0yV">NASA</a> in 1999; and one on board the <a href="/facts/Aqua_(satellite)/QXaLRTAv">Aqua</a> (EOS PM) satellite, launched in 2002. Since 2011, MODIS operations have been supplemented by <a href="/facts/VIIRS/13YvletU">VIIRS</a> sensors, such as the one aboard <a href="/facts/Suomi_NPP/LSDxT28K">Suomi NPP</a>. The systems often conduct similar operations due to their similar designs and orbits (with VIIRS data systems deisgned to be compatible with MODIS), though they have subtle differences contributing to similar but not identical uses.
The MODIS instruments were built by Santa Barbara Remote Sensing. They capture data in 36 spectral bands ranging in wavelength from 0.4 <a href="/facts/%25CE%259Cm/7eDFxD2L">μm</a> to 14.4 μm and at varying spatial resolutions (2 bands at 250 m, 5 bands at 500 m and 29 bands at 1 km). Together the instruments image the entire Earth every 1 to 2 days. They are designed to provide measurements in large-scale global dynamics including changes in Earth's <a href="/facts/Cloud_cover/yWV7Pnx9">cloud cover</a>, <a href="/facts/Radiation_budget/PHytQRdx">radiation budget</a> and processes occurring in the oceans, on land, and in the <a href="/facts/Atmosphere_of_Earth/FV97Am25">lower atmosphere</a>. 
Support and calibration is provided by the MODIS characterization support team (MCST).

Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer open-in-new

Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer