Accuracy of MODIS-derived AOD over an urban location in western India

Amit Misra; A. Jayaraman; D. Ganguly

doi:10.1117/12.693571

8 December 2006 Accuracy of MODIS-derived AOD over an urban location in western India

Amit Misra, A. Jayaraman, D. Ganguly

Proceedings Volume 6408, Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Clouds; 640818 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.693571
Event: SPIE Asia-Pacific Remote Sensing, 2006, Goa, India

Abstract

Correct assessment of aerosol properties is a pre-requisite for climate change study. On account of large heterogeneity in their properties both on spatial and temporal scales, satellite remote sensing is an ideal tool to study them. But the advantage offered by satellites is inhibited by contamination from surface reflectance and cloud interference. In the past, satellite remote sensing of aerosols was limited to over oceans, which offered a dark background. With the launch of MODIS instrument onboard Terra and Aqua satellites observations have been extended to over land. MODIS derives aerosol properties by making an assessment of surface reflectance at visible wavelengths based on mid-IR reflectance. This process has an empirical basis but the validity can only be verified by comparing the results against ground truth data. In this study MODIS derived AOD is validated against the ground based sunphotometer observations made at Ahmedabad (23.03° N, 72.53°E), an urban location in Western India, from 2002 to 2005. The local meteorology is summer from March till July, monsoon during July to September and winter from October to February. MODIS AOD data at 470 nm and 660 nm from both Terra and Aqua averaged over a 0.5×0.5 degree box centered at Ahmedabad are compared with the ground truth data. An overestimation up to 150% by MODIS during April- June and an underestimation up to 50% during October to March is found. An attempt to explain these differences in terms of seasonal variation in surface reflectivity and cloud contamination is presented and discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Amit Misra, A. Jayaraman, and D. Ganguly "Accuracy of MODIS-derived AOD over an urban location in western India", Proc. SPIE 6408, Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Clouds, 640818 (8 December 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.693571

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available