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Description

The MYD16A3 Version 6 data product was decommissioned on July 31, 2023. Users are encouraged to use the MYD16A3GF Version 6.1 data product.

The MYD16A3 Version 6 Evapotranspiration/Latent Heat Flux product is a yearly composite dataset produced at 500 meter (m) pixel resolution. The improved algorithm is based on the logic of the Penman-Monteith equation, which includes inputs of daily meteorological reanalysis data along with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) remotely sensed data products such as vegetation property dynamics, albedo, and land cover.

Provided in the MYD16A3 product are layers for yearly Evapotranspiration (ET), Latent Heat Flux (LE), Potential ET (PET) and Potential LE (PLE) along with a quality control layer. Two low resolution browse images, ET and LE, are also available for each MYD16A3 granule.

The pixel values for the two Evapotranspiration layers (ET and PET) are the sum for all days within the defined year, and the pixel values for the two Latent Heat layers (LE and PLE) are the average of all days within the defined year.

Known Issues

Improvements/Changes from Previous Versions

  • Spatial resolution of Version 6 products has increased to nominal 500 m from nominal 1,000 m in Version 5.
  • Version 5 data products were previously distributed by the Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group at the University of Montana. The Version 6 products are a continuation of this project.

Product Summary

Platforms
AQUA
Instruments
MODIS
Spatial Extent

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

Spatial Resolution
500 Meters x 500 Meters
Spatial Reference System(s)
MODIS Sinusoidal Tiling System
Location
GLOBAL
Coordinate System
CARTESIAN
Granule Spatial Representation
GEODETIC
Temporal Extent
2002-01-01 to 2003-12-31
Temporal Resolution
1 Year
Data Partner
Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC) ,
MODIS Adaptive Processing System, Terrestrial Information Systems Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA (NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/TISL/MODAPS)
Concept ID
C2763370683-LPCLOUD
Data State
DEPRECATED
Number of Files/Granules
0
Processing Level
4
Published
Updated
Science Keywords
Evapotranspiration ,
Photosynthesis ,
Primary Production

Citation

Citation is critically important for dataset documentation and discovery. This dataset is openly shared, without restriction, in accordance with the EOSDIS Data Use and Citation Guidance.

Copy Citation

Running, S., Mu, Q., & Zhao, M. (2017). MYD16A3 MODIS/Aqua Net Evapotranspiration Yearly L4 Global 500m SIN Grid V006 [Data set]. NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MYD16A3.006 Date Accessed: 2026-02-13

File Naming Convention

MYD16A3.A2003001.h17v13.006.2017104061750.hdf

The file name begins with the Product Short Name (MYD16A3) followed by the Julian Date of Acquisition formatted as AYYYYDDD (A2003001), the Tile Identifier which is horizontal tile and vertical tile provided as hXXvYY (h17v13), the Version of the data collection (006), the Julian Date and Time of Production designated as YYYYDDDHHMMSS (2017104061750), and the Data Format (hdf).

Documents

Variables

The table below lists the variables contained within a single granule for this dataset. Variables often contain observed or derived geophysical measurements collected from a variety of sources, including remote sensing instruments on satellite and airborne platforms, field campaigns, in situ measurements, and model outputs. The terms variable, parameter, scientific data set, layer, and band have been used across NASA’s Earth science disciplines; however, variable is the designated nomenclature in NASA’s Common Metadata Repository (CMR). Variable metadata attributes such as Name, Description, Units, Data Type, Fill Value, Valid Range, and Scale Factor allow users to efficiently process and analyze the data. The full range of attributes may not be applicable to all variables. Additional information on variable attributes is typically available in the data, user guide, and/or other product documentation.

For questions on a specific variable, please use the Earthdata Forum.

Name Description Units Data Type Fill Value Valid Range Scale Factor
ET_500m Total Evapotranspiration kg/m²/year uint16 65529 0 to 65500 0.1
ET_QC_500m Evapotranspiration Quality Assessment Percent uint8 255 0 to 100 N/A
LE_500m Average Latent Heat Flux J/m²/day int16 32761 0 to 32700 10000
PET_500m Total Potential Evapotranspiration kg/m²/year uint16 65529 0 to 65500 0.1
PLE_500m Average Potential Latent Heat Flux J/m²/day int16 32761 0 to 32700 10000
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