Space Science and Engineering Center

MERLIN MODIS Sidecar

The MODIS Sidecar was developed for use with MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) data. It was incorporated into MERLIN version1.1.

The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument is part of the Earth Observing System (EOS) series of polar orbiting platforms to be launched in 1998. The purpose of the instrument is to advance our understanding of the earth/atmosphere system by the generation of science data products based upon observations in 36 spectral bands. These products will be archived and available to the science community.

The MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) was developed to simulate the spectral channels of MODIS. The MAS instrument is a 50-channel spectrometer used to gather data in MODIS-like bandwidths so that science algorithms can be tested pre-launch. The instrument flies on the NASA ER-2 aircraft at an altitude of 20 km.

For more information

• Visit the CIMMS MODIS Web page
• Email Kathleen Strabala at kathys@ssec.wisc.edu

Related Publications

• Gumley, L.E., P.A. Hubanks and E.J. Masuoka, 1994: MODIS Airborne Simulator Level 1B Data User's Guide. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Technical Memorandum 104594.
• King, M.D., Y.J. Kaufman, W.P. Menzel and D. Tanre, 1992: Remote sensing of cloud, aerosol, and water vapor Properties from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS). IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., 30, 2-27.

Updated 10 May 1997 by the SSEC Webmaster.