Assessment of MODIS on-orbit calibration using a deep convective cloud technique

Qiaozhen Mu; Aisheng Wu; Tiejun Chang; Amit Angal; Daniel Link; Xiaoxiong Xiong; David R. Doelling; Rajendra Bhatt

doi:10.1117/12.2237047

Translator Disclaimer

19 September 2016 Assessment of MODIS on-orbit calibration using a deep convective cloud technique

Qiaozhen Mu, Aisheng Wu, Tiejun Chang, Amit Angal, Daniel Link, Xiaoxiong Xiong, David R. Doelling, Rajendra Bhatt

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9972, Earth Observing Systems XXI; 997210 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237047
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors onboard Terra and Aqua satellites are calibrated on-orbit with a solar diffuser (SD) for the reflective solar bands (RSB). The MODIS sensors are operating beyond their designed lifetime and hence present a major challenge to maintain the calibration accuracy. The degradation of the onboard SD is tracked by a solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM) over a wavelength range from 0.41 to 0.94 μm. Therefore, any degradation of the SD beyond 0.94 μm cannot be captured by the SDSM. The uncharacterized degradation at wavelengths beyond this limit could adversely affect the Level 1B (L1B) product. To reduce the calibration uncertainties caused by the SD degradation, invariant Earth-scene targets are used to monitor and calibrate the MODIS L1B product. The use of deep convective clouds (DCCs) is one such method and particularly significant for the short-wave infrared (SWIR) bands in assessing their long-term calibration stability. In this study, we use the DCC technique to assess the performance of the Terra and Aqua MODIS Collection-6 L1B for RSB 1 3-7 , and 26, with spectral coverage from 0.47 to 2.13 μm. Results show relatively stable trends in Terra and Aqua MODIS reflectance for most bands. Careful attention needs to be paid to Aqua band 1, Terra bands 3 and 26 as their trends are larger than 1% during the study time period. We check the feasibility of using the DCC technique to assess the stability in MODIS bands 17-19. The assessment test on response versus scan angle (RVS) calibration shows substantial trend difference for Aqua band 1between different angles of incidence (AOIs). The DCC technique can be used to improve the RVS calibration in the future.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Qiaozhen Mu, Aisheng Wu, Tiejun Chang, Amit Angal, Daniel Link, Xiaoxiong Xiong, David R. Doelling, and Rajendra Bhatt "Assessment of MODIS on-orbit calibration using a deep convective cloud technique", Proc. SPIE 9972, Earth Observing Systems XXI, 997210 (19 September 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237047

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE