Using Dome C for moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer calibration stability and consistency

Sun

et al. 2013

J. Appl. Remote Sens

Self Cite

The moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) was launched on the Terra spacecraft on Dec.18, 1999 and on Aquaon May 4, 2002. The data acquired by these instruments have contributed to the long-term climate data record for more than a decade and represent a key component of NASA's Earth observing system. Each MODIS instrument observes nearly the whole Earth each day, enabling the scientific characterization of the land, ocean, and atmosphere. The MODIS Level 1B (L1B) algorithms input uncalibrated geo-located observations and convert instrument response into calibrated reflectance and radiance, which are used to generate science data products. The instrument characterization needed to run the L1B code is currently implemented using time-dependent lookup tables. The MODIS characterization support team, working closely with the MODIS Science Team, has improved the product quality with each data reprocessing. We provide an overview of the new L1B algorithm release, designated collection 6. Recent improvements made as a consequence of on-orbit calibration, onorbit analyses, and operational considerations are described. Instrument performance and the expected impact of L1B changes on the collection 6 L1B products are discussed.

Section: Teb Calibration Coefficientsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Terra and Aqua moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer collection 6 level 1B algorithm

Toller

Sun

et al. 2013

J. Appl. Remote Sens

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“…Although both Terra and Aqua MODIS instruments were built with the same design requirements and calibration approaches and went through extensive pre-launch calibration and characterization activities (Barnes et al, 1998), their on-orbit calibration consistency still needs to be carefully examined and validated as many science products are generated from observations made by both instruments. Because of this, MODIS calibration and validation scientists and the MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) have made significant efforts to accurately calibrate and characterize both Terra and Aqua MODIS and to intercompare and validate their calibration consistency (Hook et al, 2007;Minnett et al, 2004;Thome et al, 2003;Wan et al, 2004;Barnes et al, 2006;Xiong et al, , 2009b.…”

Section: Modismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These sites are selected based on their "favorable" or "well-characterized" surface properties. For example, the Dome C site has been extensively used in recent years for the long-term trending of Terra and Aqua MODIS calibration consistency (Xiong et al, 2009b). Fig.…”

Section: Ground Targetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of sensor calibration inter-comparison and applications

Front. Earth Sci. China

Cao

Chander

2010

Long-term climate data records (CDR) are often constructed using observations made by multiple Earth observing sensors over a broad range of spectra and a large scale in both time and space. These sensors can be of the same or different types operated on the same or different platforms. They can be developed and built with different technologies and are likely operated over different time spans. It has been known that the uncertainty of climate models and data records depends not only on the calibration quality (accuracy and stability) of individual sensors, but also on their calibration consistency across instruments and platforms. Therefore, sensor calibration inter-comparison and validation have become increasingly demanding and will continue to play an important role for a better understanding of the science product quality. This paper provides an overview of different methodologies, which have been successfully applied for sensor calibration inter-comparison. Specific examples using different sensors, including MODIS, AVHRR, and ETM+, are presented to illustrate the implementation of these methodologies.

“…Due to a number of factors, such as a high elevation (> 3000m) with a minimal surface slope, a low snow accumulation rate, favorable atmospheric conditions, good uniformity in both albedo and temperature over relatively large spatial scales, Dome C has been recognized as having good potential for use as an excellent ground calibration reference site for satellite observations [23][24][25][26][27][28]. In addition, Dome C has a permanent research station, jointly operated by the French Institut Polaire Francais Paul Emile Victor (IPEV) and the Italian Programma Nazionale Ricerche in Antartide (PNRA).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these ground targets, the Dome C site in Antarctica has been selected by the MCST to study the MODIS calibration long-term stability and to examine the calibration consistency between the two *Xiaoxiong.Xiong-1@nasa.gov MODIS instruments. In our study of calibration stability and consistency, we have also included other sensors, such as AVHRR, AIRS, MISR, and Landsat TM and ETM+ [18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent progress on cross-comparison of terra and aqua MODIS calibration using Dome C

Angal

et al. 2009

SPIE Proceedings

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For the past few years, the MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) at NASA/GSFC has continued and extended its effort to monitor the Terra and Aqua MODIS calibration long-term stability and to examine their calibration consistency using observations made over the Dome Concordia, Antarctica. Early results from Dome C observations show that the calibration of bands 1 and 2 (0.65 and 0.86 micron) has been consistent within 1-2% and bands 31 and 32 (11 and 12 micron) differences are less than a few tenths of Kelvin, demonstrating that this site can provide a useful calibration reference for a wide range of Earth-observing sensors in the spectral region from visible (VIS) to long-wave infrared (LWIR). Recently, several locations at the Dome C area have been endorsed by the CEOS as radiometric reference sites for sensor cross-comparison. This, as a result, has led to an invitation to the broad earth-observing community to participate in a CEOS comparison of top-of-atmosphere (TOA) spectral radiance/reflectance over the Dome C sites. In this paper, we provide a brief description of the methodologies applied in our study and report recent progress on cross-comparison of Terra and Aqua MODIS spectral bands using observations over the Dome C area, including data provided in support of the upcoming CEOS sensor cross-comparison.