Reflectivity

Radiometer

Optics

Physics

Geology

Engineering

Spectroradiometer

Aerospace engineering

Meteorology

Chemistry

Satellite

Geography

Moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer

Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite

Aerosol

Deep blue

Environmental science

Climatology

Remote sensing

Photochemistry

Atmospheric sciences

Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres

The Deep Blue (DB) algorithm has been used to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (AE) over land from multiple satellite instruments, including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS) aboard the Terra and Aqua platforms and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). This study first validates the latest MODIS (Collection 6.1) and VIIRS (Version 1) DB data products against Aerosol Robotic Network observations. On global average, the typical level of uncertainty in AOD is slightly better than ±(0.05 + 20%) relative to Aerosol Robotic Network. AE is quantitatively more uncertain but qualitatively shows skill at distinguishing between fine‐mode and coarse‐mode dominated aerosol columns. Results are also compared with the previous MODIS Collection 6. The stability of the three DB data sets ranges from 0.005–0.01 AOD per decade. Second, spatial and temporal patterns in AOD and AE are compared between the three data sets. It is found that they all show similar patterns of spatial coverage, which is predominantly linked to cloud cover, snow, and polar night. Regional time series of AOD also show highly consistent seasonal and interannual variations and are strongly correlated, although have offsets in some regions due to a combination of algorithmic and sensor‐related differences.

Validation, Stability, and Consistency of MODIS Collection 6.1 and VIIRS Version 1 Deep Blue Aerosol Data Over Land