|
 
|
|
|
MODIS/AQUA derived cloudiness and SST data for Hawaii
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (flown on the AQUA satellite) is 36 channel instrument in visible, near IR and IR spectrum. The nominal pixel size is 1 km for most channels, but 250 m for first two visible one.
Due to large number of channels it is possible to perform multiple cloud mask tests and construct final cloud mask with 4 categories: certainly clear, probably clear, uncertain and cloudy, corresponding values are 0, 1, 10 and 11, respectively.
SST is derived by split windown technique using channel 31 and 32 IR radiances and it is actually the temperature withing the field of view. That can be the surface (land or ocean) or cloud tops. Cloud mask information is needed to determine skin surface temperature.
Since AQUA is a polar orbiter it passes over twice a day at about 1 o'clock AM and PM local time. The swath data were remapped to uniform 1km grid.
|
|
|
