Abstract:
This data set consists of satellite measurements of global ocean color data
obtained by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), in orbit
on the Aqua (formerly EOS PM) platform. MODIS ocean color products are
processed and distributed by the Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG).
Processing details can be found at
http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/DOCS/MODISA_processing.html ... 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. In
addition, each product includes subordinate files, each of which contains data
of one binned geophysical parameter for all bins. Subordinate files must be
read in conjunction with the associated main file.
Aqua MODIS ocean color binned products consist of:
-Normalized water-leaving radiance at 412 nm [file x00 = nLw_412_sum]
-Normalized water-leaving radiance at 443 nm [file x01 = nLw_443_sum]
-Normalized water-leaving radiance at 488 nm [file x02 = nLw_488_sum]
-Normalized water-leaving radiance at 531 nm [file x03 = nLw_531_sum]
-Normalized water-leaving radiance at 551 nm [file x04 = nLw_551_sum]
-Normalized water-leaving radiance at 667 nm [file x05 = nLw_667_sum]
-Angstrom coefficient, 531-869 nm [file x06 = angstrom_531_sum]
-Chlorophyll-a concentration [file x07 = chlor_a_sum]
-Diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm [file x08 = K_490_sum]
-Epsilon of aerosol correction at 748 and 869 nm [file x09 = eps_78_sum]
-Aerosol optical thickness at 869nm [file x10 = tau_869_sum]
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/ 
