Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)

• Human-induced climate change has altered the colour of more than 56 per cent of the world’s oceans in the last 20 years, according to a concerning study.
• The team analysed ocean colour measurements taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer which has been monitoring ocean colour for 21 years.

ABOUT MODIS

• MODIS (or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) is a key instrument aboard the Terra (originally known as EOS AM-1) and Aqua (originally known as EOS PM-1) satellites.
• The first MODIS instrument was launched by NASA on board the Terra satellite in December 1999, and the second was launched on Aqua in May 2002.
• Terra’s orbit around the Earth is timed so that it passes from north to south across the equator in the morning, while Aqua passes south to north over the equator in the afternoon.
• It collects remotely sensed data used by scientists for monitoring, modelling, and assessing the effects of natural processes and human actions on the Earth’s surface.
• Terra MODIS and Aqua MODIS are viewing the entire Earth’s surface every 1 to 2 days, acquiring data in 36 spectral bands.
• MODIS takes measurements in seven visible wavelengths.