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Full catalog/AER_DBDT_M10KM_L3_MODIS_AQUA
AER_DBDT_M10KM_L3_MODIS_AQUA·v001·dataset

Haze, dust and smoke in the air (Aqua, monthly, fine grid)

AQUA MODIS High Resolution Level 3 monthly aerosol data, 0.1x0.1 degree grid Version 001 (AER_DBDT_M10KM_L3_MODIS_AQUA) at GES DISC
atmosphere NASA GES_DISC Level 3 active
In plain English

What it measures. Gives monthly worldwide maps of how hazy the air is from particles like dust, smoke, and pollution (aerosol optical depth), on a fine 0.1-degree grid, with options to use different retrieval methods plus statistics for filtering.

How it's made. Produced by combining two MODIS aerosol methods (Deep Blue and Dark Target) on the Aqua satellite, averaging high-quality Level 2 retrievals into a monthly gridded product (Level 3).

How & where you'd use it. Used to study air quality, dust and smoke transport, and how aerosols affect climate, and to track pollution trends over time.

What's measured

ATMOSPHERE › AEROSOLS › AEROSOL OPTICAL DEPTH/THICKNESS

Coverage & cadence

  • Time span2002-07-01 → ongoing
  • Measured byAqua (MODIS)
  • Processing levelLevel 3
  • Spatial extent-179.95, -89.95, 179.95, 89.95
  • StatusACTIVE

What you can do with it

  • Map air pollutants — NO₂, aerosols, ozone
  • Track greenhouse gases and Earth's energy budget
  • Feed weather and air-quality analysis
Official description

This High-Resolution (0.1 x 0.1 degree) Level 3 monthly Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) product is generated by combining two Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) operational algorithms, namely Deep Blue (DB) and Dark Target (DT), on board the AQUA satellite. This dataset is provided in monthly files ranging from July 2002 to the present. The spatial coverage is global and the dataset is gridded at 0.1 x 0.1 degree spatial resolution. The data are generated using Level 2 AOD retrieved using DT and DB algorithms. The product provides multiple options for using data either from DT or DB or combined. Depending on user need and application, they can choose one or more relevant parameter. The pixels with highest quality as recommended by science teams are only considered in these averaging. In addition to averaged AOD at 0.1 x 0.1 degree resolution, standard deviation and number of pixels averaged from each algorithm are also provided. Average sensor zenith angle is also provided for additional filtering of the data. If you have any questions, please read the README document first and post your question to the NASA Earthdata Forum (forum.earthdata.nasa.gov) or email the GES DISC Help Desk (gsfc-dl-help-disc@mail.nasa.gov).

Get the data

aer_dbdt_m10km_l3_modis_aqua_access.py
import earthaccess
earthaccess.login(strategy="netrc")          # free Earthdata Login

results = earthaccess.search_data(
    short_name="AER_DBDT_M10KM_L3_MODIS_AQUA",
    version="001",
    bounding_box=(-122.5, 37.2, -121.8, 37.9),  # your area (W,S,E,N)
    temporal=("2024-01-01", "2024-12-31"),       # your dates
)
files = earthaccess.open(results)   # stream straight from GES_DISC
Browsing CMR needs no login. Downloading or streaming bytes needs a free Earthdata Login + the earthaccess package.