MODIS Data

MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) is one of the longest-running and most thematically rich Earth observation programs, delivering continuous environmental data for over 25 years. The sensor operates aboard NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, capturing data across 36 spectral bands spanning visible light to thermal infrared. This enables the derivation of a wide range of geophysical parameters, including vegetation indices, land surface temperature, snow cover, and burned area. Its broad spectral range combined with global coverage makes MODIS particularly well-suited for regional and global-scale environmental monitoring.

Datasets details:

  • Instruments: MODIS optical sensor aboard Terra and Aqua satellites
  • Spectral range: 36 bands from visible light to thermal infrared
  • Spatial resolution: 250 m to 1,000 m depending on the product
  • Revisit time: 1 to 2 observations per day, enabled by a swath width of 2,330 km
  • Data format: HDF4, organized in a sinusoidal tiling grid
MODIS Collection ID NameInstrumentSpatial RangeTemporal RangeLevelGSD 
MOD09A1 / MYD09A1 MODIS Surface Reflectance 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 500 m 
MOD09Q1 / MYD09Q1 MODIS Surface Reflectance 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 250 m 
MOD10A1 / MYD10A1 MODIS Snow Cover Daily  MODISWorld2000-02-24 to PresentL3 500 m 
MOD10A2 / MYD10A2 MODIS Snow Cover 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 500 m 
MOD11A1 / MYD11A1 MODIS Land Surface Temperature/Emissivity Daily  MODIsWorld2000-02-24 to PresentL3 1 km 
MOD11A2 / MYD11A2 MODIS Land Surface Temperature/Emissivity 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 1 km 
MOD13A1 / MYD13A1 MODIS Vegetation Indices 16-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 500 m 
MOD13A2 / MYD13A2 MODIS Vegetation Indices 16-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 1 km 
MOD13Q1 / MYD13Q1 MODIS Vegetation Indices 16-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 250 m 
MOD14A1 / MYD14A1 MODIS Thermal Anomalies/Fire Daily  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 1 km 
MOD14A2 / MYD14A2 MODIS Thermal Anomalies/Fire 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 1 km 
MOD15A2H / MYD15A2H MODIS Leaf Area Index/FPAR 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL4 500 m 
MOD16A2GF MODIS Net Evapotranspiration Gap-Filled 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-01-01 to Present (GEE: 2024-12-26)L4 500 m 
MOD16A3GF / MYD16A3GF MODIS Net Evapotranspiration Gap-Filled Yearly  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL4 500 m 
MOD17A2H / MYD17A2H MODIS Gross Primary Productivity 8-Day  MODISWorld2021-01-01 to PresentL4 500 m 
MOD17A2HGF / MYD17A2HGF MODIS Gross Primary Productivity Gap-Filled 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-01-01 to Present (GEE: 2024-12-26)L4 500 m 
MOD17A3HGF / MYD17A3HGF MODIS Net Primary Production Gap-Filled Yearly  MODISWorld2001-01-01 to PresentL4 500 m 
MOD21A2 / MYD21A2 MODIS Land Surface Temperature/3-Band Emissivity 8-Day  MODISWorld2000-02-18 to PresentL3 1 km 
MCD12Q1 MODIS Land Cover Type Yearly  MODISWorld2001-01-01 – 2024-01-01L3 500 m 
MCD15A2H MODIS Leaf Area Index/FPAR 8-Day  MODISWorld2002-07-04 - PresentL4 500 m 
MCD15A3H MODIS Leaf Area Index/FPAR 4-Day  MODISWorld2002-07-04 - PresentL4 500 m 
MCD43A4 MODIS BRDF/Albedo Nadir BRDF-Adjusted Ref Daily  MODISWorld2000-02-16 - PresentL3 500 m 
MCD64A1 MODIS Burned Area Monthly  MODISWorld2000-11-01 - PresentL3 500 m