The image of sea-surface temperature around Japan, shown in "Today's Image" is composed from various observations by MODIS. In this image, the land areas are gray and clouds are white. The data shows the area of flowing extension of the Kuroshio. It also clearly depicts the confluence zone of Kuroshio and Oyashio.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) monitors both visible and infrared spectra, providing global coverage of the Earth's surface. The images from this instrument help us to understand land surfaces, such as forests, deserts and towns. MODIS also monitors snow and cloud parameters, and provides information on phyto-plankton concentrations in the oceans. Sea-surface temperature also can be calculated from MODIS infrared wavelength channels.

MODIS on board the Terra and Aqua monitors this area twice a day, covering vast areas around Japan. "Today's Image" was recreated from data processed by JAXA Earth Observation Center (EOC) from September 10, 2004, and previously data processed by the Tokai University Research & Information Center (TRIC) was used.