Questions/Comments • Worldview Snapshots: What do the different band combinations mean for the corrected reflectance images?

MODIS Bands 3, 6, 7 (479 nm: 1652 nm: 2155 nm) / VIIRS Bands M3, I3, M11 (478-498 nm: 1580-1640 nm: 2225-2275 nm)

The MODIS Band 3, 6, 7 or VIIRS Bands M3, I3, M11 combination are assigned to the red, green, and blue components of a digital image. This combination is used to map snow and ice. Snow and ice are very reflective in the visible part of the spectrum (MODIS Band 3/VIIRS Band M3), and very absorbent in MODIS Bands 6 and 7/VIIRS Bands I3 and M11 (short-wave infrared, or SWIR).

MODIS Bands 7, 2, 1 (2155 nm: 876 nm: 670 nm) / VIIRS Bands M11, I2, I1 (2225-2275 nm: 846-885 nm: 600-680nm)

MODIS Bands 7, 2, and 1/VIIRS Bands M11, I2, I1, are assigned to the red, green, and blue portions of the digital image. This combination is most useful for identifying burn scars from naturally low vegetation or bare soil and enhancing floods. This combination can also be used to distinguish snow and ice from clouds. Snow and ice are very reflective in the visible part of the spectrum (MODIS Band 1/ VIIRS Band I1), and absorbent in MODIS Band 2/VIIRS Band I2 (near infrared) and MODIS Band 7/VIIRS Band M11 (short-wave infrared, or SWIR). Thick ice and snow appear vivid sky blue, while small ice crystals in high-level clouds will also appear blueish, and water clouds will appear white.