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Description

The Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) MYD16A2 Version 6.1 Evapotranspiration/Latent Heat Flux product is an 8-day composite dataset produced at 500 meter (m) pixel resolution. The improved algorithm is based on the logic of the Penman-Monteith equation, which includes inputs of daily meteorological reanalysis data along with MODIS remotely sensed data products such as vegetation property dynamics, albedo, and land cover.

Provided in the MYD16A2 product are layers for composited Evapotranspiration (ET), Latent Heat Flux (LE), Potential ET (PET) and Potential LE (PLE) along with a quality control layer. Two low resolution browse images, ET and LE, are also available for each MYD16A2 granule.

The pixel values for the two Evapotranspiration layers (ET and PET) are the sum of all eight days within the composite period, and the pixel values for the two Latent Heat layers (LE and PLE) are the average of all eight days within the composite period. Note that the last acquisition period of each year is a 5 or 6-day composite period depending on the year.

Known Issues

Improvments/Changes from Previous Version

  • The Version 6.1 Level-1B (L1B) products have been improved by undergoing various calibration changes that include: changes to the response-versus-scan angle (RVS) approach that affects reflectance bands for Aqua and Terra MODIS, corrections to adjust for the optical crosstalk in Terra MODIS infrared (IR) bands, and corrections to the Terra MODIS forward look-up table (LUT) update for the period 2012 - 2017.
  • A polarization correction has been applied to the L1B Reflective Solar Bands (RSB).
  • The product uses Climatology LAI/FPAR as back up to the operational LAI/FPAR.

Product Summary

Platforms
Aqua
Instruments
MODIS
Spatial Extent
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180
Spatial Resolution
500 Meters x 500 Meters
Geographic Region
GLOBAL
Coordinate System
CARTESIAN
Granule Spatial Representation
GEODETIC
Temporal Extent
2021-01-01 to Present
Temporal Resolution
8 Day
Data Partner
Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC)
MODIS Adaptive Processing System, Terrestrial Information Systems Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA (NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/TISL/MODAPS)
Concept ID
C2565794064-LPCLOUD
Data State
ACTIVE
Processing Level
4
Published
Updated
Science Keywords
Evapotranspiration,
Latent Heat Flux

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

Running, S., Mu, Q., & Zhao, M. (2021). MODIS/Aqua Net Evapotranspiration 8-Day L4 Global 500m SIN Grid V061 [Data set]. NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MYD16A2.061 Date Accessed: 2025-09-10

Data Center Citation

Steve Running, Qiaozhen Mu, Maosheng Zhao. 2021. MODIS/Aqua Net Evapotranspiration 8-Day L4 Global 500m SIN Grid V061. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA: NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MYD16A2.061.

File Naming Convention

MYD16A2.A2025201.h07v05.061.2025217002927.hdf The file name begins with the Product Short Name (MYD16A2) followed by the Julian Date of Acquisition formatted as AYYYYDDD (A2025201), the Tile Identifier which is horizontal tile and vertical tile provided as hXXvYY (h07v05), the Version of the data collection (061), the Julian Date and Time of Production designated as YYYYDDDHHMMSS (2025217002927), and the Data Format (hdf).

Documents

USER'S GUIDE

ALGORITHM THEORETICAL BASIS DOCUMENT (ATBD)

PRODUCT QUALITY ASSESSMENT

SCIENCE DATA PRODUCT VALIDATION

GENERAL DOCUMENTATION

Learning Resources

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Publications Citing This Dataset

Filters
Title Year Author
Effects of riparian vegetation on evapotranspiration processes and water quality of small plain streams Dunea, D.
Bringing forward the potential of geo-information tools for grassland studies in Romania Dunea, D.
The role of urban trees in reducing land surface temperatures in European cities Schwaab, J.
Estimation of spatially continuous near-surface relative humidity over Japan and South Korea Park, H.
Spatiotemporal variability of atmospheric CO2 concentration and controlling factors over sugarcane cultivation areas in southern Brazil da Costa, L. M.
Continental drought monitoring using satellite soil moisture, data assimilation and an integrated drought index Xu, L.
Hydrological consequences of natural rubber plantations in Southeast Asia Chiarelli, D. D.
Use of remote sensing indicators to assess effects of drought and human-induced land degradation on ecosystem health in Northeastern Brazil Mariano, D. A.
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