Collection 1 Aqua Product Descriptions: MVCM-VIIRS Cloud Mask

Last update: February 20, 2019

Data Set Short Name:
CLDMSK_L2_MODIS_Aqua

Data Set Long Name:
MODIS/Aqua Cloud Mask and Spectral Test Results 5-Min L2 Swath 1km

Platform:
Aqua

Instrument:
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)

Product Description:
The MODIS-VIIRS Cloud Mask (MVCM) is designed to facilitate continuity in cloud detection between the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on the Aqua and Terra platforms and the series of VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) instruments, beginning with the Sumoi NPP spacecraft. To establish continuity, this MODIS MVCM product does not use an algorithm identical to that used in the standard MODIS product (MOD35/MYD35). The MVCM-MODIS Cloud Mask product is a Level-2 product generated at 1000 m (at nadir) spatial resolution. The algorithm employs a series of visible through infrared threshold and consistency tests to specify confidence that an unobstructed view of the Earth's surface has been observed. Radiometrically-accurate radiances are required, thus holes in the cloud mask will appear wherever the input radiances are incomplete or of poor quality.

File_naming_convention = CLDMSK_L2_MODIS_Aqua.AYYYYDDD.HHMM.CCC.YYYYDDDHHMMSS.nc

• AYYYYDDD = Acquisition Year and Day of Year
• HHMM = Acquisition Hour and Minute
• CCC = Collec tion number
• YYYYDDDHHMMSS = Production Date and Time
• nc = NetCDF4

Production Frequency:
288 files per day

Spatial Coverage:
Global

Spatial Resolution:
1000 m at nadir

File Size:
~17 MB

Related Links:
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/MVCM/
(MODIS & VIIRS Cloud Mask (MVCM) Product information site)

Citation:
We kindly request that you cite the use of this data set in a publication using the following citation.

Author (PI), et al., 2017. Product name as given on product web site. NASA MODIS Adaptive Processing System, Goddard Space Flight Center, USA: [DOI link].

For example:
Ackerman, S., et al., 2017. VIIRS Atmosphere L2 Cloud Mask Product. NASA MODIS Adaptive Processing System, Goddard Space Flight Center, USA: http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/CLDMSK_L2_MODIS_Aqua.001

Data Authors:
Dr. Steve Ackerman

Dataset Originator/Creator:
VIIRS Atmosphere Science Team / SSEC, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dataset DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/CLDMSK_L2_MODIS_Aqua.001