Smooth MODIS makes near real-time imagery from the MODIS instruments flying aboard its Terra and Aqua satellites available at 5-minute intervals throughout the day. Of particular interest are the images with resolutions of 500 metre/pixel and 250 metre/pixel.
Unfortunately, because of the curvature of the Earth's surface below the satellite, each swath imaged by the onboard MODIS instrument is distorted, particularly so towards the left and right eges of each image. As the Earth curves away from the satellite, perspective 'pinches' the required parts of the image (green rather like railway lines appearing to move closer to each other with distance.
Smooth-MODIS 'spreads out' the image pixels towards the extremities of each swath so that they fill the swath area as fully as possible (below). The 'extra' unwanted detail is overwritten.
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