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). Processing details can be found at
http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/DOCS/modis_sst/ ... Each Level-2 Local Area Coverage (LAC) product is generated from a
corresponding Level-1B product. The main data contents of the product are the
geophysical values for each pixel, derived from the Level-1B radiances by
applying the atmospheric corrections, and SST retrieval algorithms. Each
Level-2 product corresponds exactly in geographical coverage (scan-line and
pixel extent) to that of its parent Level-1B product and is stored in one
physical HDF file. The resolution is the same as the corresponding level 1B
file (1 km).
The standard SST product contains:
SST = Sea Surface Temperature - 11 micron (daytime and nighttime)
SST4 = Sea Surface Temperature - 4 micron (nighttime only)
In addition, 32 flags are associated with each pixel indicating if any
algorithm failures or warning conditions occurred for that pixel.
Detailed information on the Level-2 format specifications can be found at
http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/DOCS/Ocean_Level-2_Data_Products.pdf
Level-2 processing is performed using the Multi-Sensor Level-1 to Level-2
(MSl12) code, which is developed and maintained by the OBPG. The algorithms
and logic were 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/ . Full
documentation, updated code source, sensor files, and output product
descriptions can be found at http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/DOCS/MSL12/. For
MODIS, the Level-1B file and the GEO file for each 5-minute granule are input
to MSl12.
The Level-2 processing also makes use of reference SST information from
ancillary sources. In the near real-time (NRT) stream, the previous weekâs
Reynolds SST data are used. The NRT Quick Look products are then immediately
available on the web browser and in the rolling FTP archive within 6-10 hours
of observation. When the definitive attitude and orbit and coincident Reynolds
SST data are received several days later, they are used in the
Refined-processing stream and the Level-2 products are regenerated.
Please, read the MODIS Ocean Parent document for more details:
http://gcmd.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?MODIS_OCEAN_PARENT
Browse Level 2 Data at http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi/browse.pl?sen=am 
