MCD06COSP_D3_MODIS - MODIS (Aqua/Terra) Cloud Properties Level 3 daily, 1x1 degree grid
This combined Aqua and Terra MODIS Cloud Properties product is especially geared to facilitate climate scientists who deal with both models and observations. Parsing this product’s recursive “COSP” acronym in its short-name reveals much about its nature. COSP stands for Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project (CFMIP) Observation Simulator Package. “The primary objective of CFMIP is to inform future assessments of cloud feedbacks through improved understanding of cloud-climate feedback mechanisms and better evaluation of cloud processes and cloud feedbacks in climate models.”1 CFMIP work is also being used to focus our understanding of other facets of climate change that include circulation, regional-scale precipitation, and non-linear changes. MODIS observations offer important information to help us better understand the error factor within climate models. Particle size retrievals, in particular, offer a unique view of cloud-aerosol interactions. The COSP package contains a MODIS simulator component that helps us to compare models and observations through synthetic MODIS observations derived from climate model integrations. The MODIS simulation-derived output helps feed the current generation (CMIP6) of the climate modelling framework called the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP).
A code bug was discovered in mid 2021 in the COSP software, which caused a significant problem in the Low, Middle, and High aggregations of Cloud Fraction (from Cloud Mask). This problem was corrected via a new reprocessing cycle during the 2022 calendar year. Therefore, if any user had acquired the v6.1 collection MCD06COSP data files with production dates in 2021 or earlier, they should obtain the new, corrected v6.2 collection MCD06COSP data files, with “2022” (or later) production dates, from LAADS. The corrected v6.2 collection files will have “2022” as part of the filename’s production date-field, which immediately follows the collection’s version number (062). Please note that this new v6.2 collection is still derived from v6.1 collection’s 06_L2 input files. The v6.1 MCD06COSP_D3_MODIS collection will remain available until November 30, 2022, and marked for decommissioning following that date.
MCD06COSP_D3_MODIS represents the daily product’s short-name with specific dataset definitions with which to compare against climate model output. This product is an aggregation of combined MODIS Level-2 inputs from both the Terra and Aqua incarnations (MOD35/MOD06 and MYD35/MYD06, respectively), and employs an aggregation methodology consistent with the MOD08 and MYD08 products. Provided in netCDF4 format, it contains 23 aggregated science data sets (SDS/parameters) that include the following:
- Cloud Mask Fraction
- Cloud Mask Fraction High
- Cloud Mask Fraction Low
- Cloud Mask Fraction Mid
- Cloud Optical Thickness Ice
- Cloud Optical Thickness Liquid
- Cloud Optical Thickness Log10 Ice
- Cloud Optical Thickness Log10 Liquid
- Cloud Optical Thickness Log10 Total
- Cloud Optical Thickness PCL Total
- Cloud Optical Thickness Total
- Cloud Particle Size Ice
- Cloud Particle Size Liquid
- Cloud Retrieval Fraction Ice
- Cloud Retrieval Fraction Liquid
- Cloud Retrieval Fraction Total
- Cloud Top Pressure
- Cloud Water Path Ice
- Cloud Water Path Liquid
- Sensor Azimuth
- Sensor Zenith
- Solar Azimuth
- Solar Zenith
Each science parameter includes a combination of the following statistical variables:
- Mean, Standard Deviation, Pixel Count, Sum, and Sum Squares
- Joint histogram versus Cloud Particle Size
- Joint histogram versus Cloud Top Pressure
Consult the MCD06COSP User Guide for details regarding how the L3 daily statistics are computed, and to learn more about the gridding and sampling protocols specific to this product and a number of other topics germane to the user community. Each calendar year includes 365 granules. The version 6.2 collection of this product starts from July 4, 2002 (Day-of-year 185) and currently is produced through September 2, 2021 (Day-of-year 245).
- Webb et al., (2017) The Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project (CFMIP) contribution to CMIP6. Geoscientific Model Development, Vol. 10 (1), 359 – 384.
Links
- Search for Product Files
- Data Archive
- MODIS Standard Atmosphere L3 MCD06COSP User Guide
- DOI: 10.5067/MODIS/MCD06COSP_D3_MODIS.062
Shortname: | MCD06COSP_D3_MODIS |
Platform: | Combined Aqua Terra |
Instrument: | MODIS |
Processing Level: | Level-3 |
Data Format: | netCDF4 |
Spatial Resolution: | 1 degree |
Temporal Resolution: | daily |
ArchiveSets: | 62 |
Collection: | MODIS Collection 6.2, Atmosphere (ArchiveSet 62) |
PGE Number: | NONE |
File Naming Convention: | Syntax: ESDT.AYYYYDDD.VVV.YYYYDDDHHMMSS.Format
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Keywords: | Aqua+Terra MODIS, L3, Daily, Global Grid, CFMIP, COSP, MODIS simulator |