Abstract:
This data set consists of satellite measurements of global ocean sea surface
temperature (SST) data obtained by the Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectroradiometer (MODIS), in orbit on the Aqua (formerly EOS PM) platform.
MODIS SST products are processed and distributed by the Ocean Biology
Processing Group (OBPG). The generation of SST products from the MODIS sensors
is performed using the
... Multi-Sensor Level-1 to Level-2 software (MSl12), based
on algorithms and logic originally developed by the Rosenstiel School of Marine
and Atmosphere Science (RSMAS) at the University of Miami. Processing details
can be found at http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/DOCS/modis_sst/
Each Aqua MODIS Level-3 binned (4 km) data product consists of the accumulated
data for all Level-2 products, for the specified instrument and resolution,
corresponding to a period of one day, 8 days, a calendar month, a season, a
calendar year, or the cumulative mission. Each Level-3 binned data product is
stored in one or more HDF files. The data are stored in a representation of a
global, equal-area grid whose grid cells have a resolution of 4.6x4.6km.
Each given time binning period (Daily, 8-Day, Monthly, Monthly Climatology,
Seasonal, Seasonal Climatology, Annual, Cumulative) has a separate file for
each product. These files include a main file containing all product-level
metadata, and data for each bin filled for that product and time period.
Aqua MODIS SST binned products consist of:
NSST = Sea Surface Temperature - 11 micron (nighttime)
SST = Sea Surface Temperature - 11 micron (daytime)
SST4 = Sea Surface Temperature - 4 micron (nighttime only)
More detailed information on the Level-3 binned data product format
specifications can be found in the document at
http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/DOCS/Ocean_Level-3_Binned_Data_Prod...
Please, read the MODIS Ocean Parent document for more details:
http://gcmd.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?MODIS_OCEAN_PARENT
The MODIS Aqua Level 3 Binned data files are available from the FTP site at
ftp://oceans.gsfc.nasa.gov/MODISA/Binned/ 
