Accessing the MODIS snow and ice products at the NSIDC DAAC

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is the key instrument for snow and ice studies supported by the Terra satellite, launched in December 1999. The spectral and spatial resolutions of MODIS represent a considerable improvement in capability for global cryospheric monitoring over comparable existing systems. The MODIS snow and ice products augment the existing record of satellite-derived snow cover and sea ice products that began about 30 years ago. The MODIS snow and ice products are archived and will be distributed by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) as part of NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) beginning in the summer of 2000. This paper summarizes the content and format of the MODIS snow and ice products, and describes user support and data access at NSIDC.