A method for detecting and differentiating dust from cirrus using satellite remote sensing has been developed. Using the differences in the reflective and emissive properties of each, it is shown that combining short-wave reflectance ratio tests with long-wave brightness temperature differences produce individual parameters that are able to specifically detect cirrus and dust. Through successive employment of both parameters, a method is established that separates dust from cirrus. Two case studies using Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data are presented that show the effectiveness of the procedure.