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Description

The Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) NASA Level-2 (L2) Cloud Mask is one of four continuity products designed to sustain the long-term records of both MODIS and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) heritages. CLDMSK_L2_MODIS_Aqua is the short-name for the Aqua MODIS version of the Cloud Mask continuity product derived from the MODIS-VIIRS cloud mask (MVCM) algorithm, which itself is based on the MODIS (MOD35) algorithm. MVCM describes a continuity algorithm that is central to both MODIS data (from Terra and Aqua missions) and VIIRS data (from SNPP and Joint Polar Satellite System missions). Implemented to consistently handle MODIS and VIIRS inputs, the Aqua MODIS version-2.0 (v2.0) collection products use MODIS 6.1 L1B as input. The nominal spatial resolution of the Aqua MODIS L2 Cloud Mask is 1 km at nadir. The v2.0 collection starts from July 4, 2002 (2002-185).

Version Description

Version 2 Data

Product Summary

Platforms
Aqua
Instruments
MODIS
Spatial Extent

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

Spatial Resolution
1 Kilometers x 1 Kilometers
Location
GLOBAL
Coordinate System
CARTESIAN
Granule Spatial Representation
GEODETIC
Temporal Extent
2002-07-04 to Present
Data Partner
Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UWI-MAD/SSEC) ,
L1 and Atmosphere Archive and Distribution System,Biospheric Information Systems Branch, Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA (NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/H
Concept ID
C4139049747-LAADS
Data State
ACTIVE
Number of Files/Granules
2484718
Processing Level
2
Published
Science Keywords
Clouds ,
Cloud Frequency ,
Cloud Height ,
Infrared Radiance ,
REFLECTED INFRARED ,
Visible Radiance

Citation

Citation is critically important for dataset documentation and discovery. This dataset is openly shared, without restriction, in accordance with the EOSDIS Data Use and Citation Guidance.

Copy Citation

VIIRS Atmosphere Science Team, S. S. E. C. (2026). MODIS/Aqua Cloud Mask and Spectral Test Results 5-Min L2 Swath 1km [Data set]. NASA Level 1 and Atmosphere Archive and Distribution System Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/CLDMSK_L2_MODIS_AQUA.002 Date Accessed: 2026-05-02

Documents

USER'S GUIDE

ALGORITHM THEORETICAL BASIS DOCUMENT (ATBD)

Publications Citing This Dataset

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