How to Open and Read Modis-Aqua L0 data file

[jeff_hsu]

Just downloaded some Modis-Aqua L0 .PDS data files, how to open and read it. Anyone knows? thanks,

[OB.DAACx - SeanBailey]

The L0 format isn't really a friendly one. We distribute them for those who wish to concatenate several together to generate L1 files that are not in the 5-minute granularization that we distribute. Our SeaDAS package includes scripts and programs necessary to convert the L0 binary data into the more useful L1A format. The effort that would be involved in deciphering the L0 format is simply not worth anyone's time, as the code to create a nice L1A file from the L0 exists and is readily available to anyone.

Regards,
Sean

[jeff_hsu]

hi, Sean,

Thanks for the quick turn around. That is to say, there is no such a tool to open and read the L0 file directly without converting to L1, right? we are trying to do some study work with L0 files. And all unzipped L0 files are .PDS format, could I open them with Nanaview.exe tool? I tried, but failed.

thanks,
Jeff

[OB.DAACx - SeanBailey]

No, there is no tool that can read the L0 files (at least none that I am aware). The L0 files are just a the raw binary packet stream from the instrument, which as I said before is not a particularly friendly format. All of the information from the L0 is contained in the L1A file, but organized in a nice HDF format that is readily accessible by a number of tools.

Sean

[jeff_hsu]

Got it. Thanks a lot. Best.