Combined MODIS Instantaneous total Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) data from the MCD18A2 product over part of Mexico, December 31, 2008.
View full-size imageThe MCD18A2 Version 6 is a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra and Aqua combined Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) gridded Level 3 product produced daily at 5 kilometer pixel resolution with estimates of PAR every 3 hours. PAR is incident solar radiation in the visible spectrum (400-700 nanometers) and is an important variable in land-surface models that address a variety of scientific and application issues. The MCD18 products are based on a prototyping algorithm that uses multi-temporal signatures of MODIS data to derive surface reflectance and then calculate incident PAR using the look-up table (LUT) approach. The LUTs consider different types of loadings of aerosols and clouds at a variety of illumination/viewing geometry. Global PAR products are generated from MODIS and geostationary satellite data. Additional details regarding the methodology used to create the data are available in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD).
Provided in the MOD18A2 product are layers for instantaneous PAR array for each individual MODIS overpass and 3-hour PAR array along with a View Zenith Angle layer.
Validation at stage 1 has been achieved for the MODIS Surface Radiation products for 2011 through present. Further details regarding MODIS land product validation for the MCD18 data products are available from the MODIS Land Team Validation site. Please note that the MCD18 C6 dataset from year 2000 to 2010 have not been reprocessed and are not appropriate for use in quantitative scientific publications.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Collection | Combined MODIS |
| DOI | 10.5067/MODIS/MCD18A2.006 |
| File Size | ~1.09 MB |
| Temporal Resolution | < Daily |
| Temporal Extent | 2001-01-01 to 2022-09-30 |
| Spatial Extent | Global |
| Coordinate System | Sinusoidal |
| Datum | N/A |
| File Format | HDF-EOS |
| Geographic Dimensions | 1200 km x 1200 km |
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of Science Dataset (SDS) Layers | 12 |
| Columns/Rows | 240 x 240 |
| Pixel Size | 5600 m |
| SDS Name | Description | Units | Data Type | Fill Value | No Data Value | Valid Range | Scale Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAR | Instantaneous total PAR at MODIS overpass | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| Direct | Instantaneous direct PAR at MODIS overpass | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| Diffuse | Instantaneous diffuse PAR at MODIS overpass | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| GMT_0000_PAR | Total PAR at GMT 00:00 | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| GMT_0300_PAR | Total PAR at GMT 03:00 | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| GMT_0600_PAR | Total PAR at GMT 06:00 | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| GMT_0900_PAR | Total PAR at GMT 09:00 | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| GMT_1200_PAR | Total PAR at GMT 12:00 | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| GMT_1500_PAR | Total PAR at GMT 15:00 | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| GMT_1800_PAR | Total PAR at GMT 18:00 | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| GMT_2100_PAR | Total PAR at GMT 21:00 | W/m² | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 700 | N/A |
| ViewZenithAngle | View Zenith Angle of each MODIS overpass | Degree | 32-bit floating point | -1 | N/A | 0 to 90 | N/A |
See Table 2 in the User Guide for additional information on band dimensions.
Please note that the MCD18 C6 dataset from year 2000 to 2010 have not been reprocessed and are not appropriate for use in quantitative scientific publications.
Known issues for MCD18A2 are available on the MODIS Land Quality Assessment website.