MODIS Atmospheric Data Handler

A number of science data sets are derived from the observations of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument onboard NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites. These data typically contain information on retrieval techniques, quality-control flags, and geo-referencing information. These datasets, distributed in HDF (Hierachical Data Format), must be further processed to extract relevant information for weather analysis studies and numerical models input. The MODIS-Atmosphere Data Handler software converts the HDF data to ASCII format, and outputs: (1) atmospheric profiles of temperature and dew point and (2) total precipitable water. Quality-control data are also considered in the export procedure.

The package currently consists of programs to process the MOD05 and MOD07 data products from MODIS. The software is written using the C programming language and contains Makefiles for easier compilation and installation. The MODIS-ADH software helps ease the overhead involved in data processing so that the numerical modelers may concentrate on their science and modeling tasks rather than manipulating data for their models.

This program was written by Valentine Anantharaj and Patrick Fitzpatrick of the Northern Gulf Institute at Mississippi State University for Stennis Space Center.

Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to:

Mississippi State University
Northern Gulf Institute
BLDG 1103, Room 233
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
Phone No.: (228) 688-1157
Fax: (228) 688-7100
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Refer to SSC-00267, volume and number of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number.