Aerosols are important components in the environmental system and their radiative effects represent one of the largest uncertainties in the energy budget of the climate system. In this study, we use observational data sets of aerosol, cloud and radiative flux from multiple satellites to estimate the direct shortwave radiative effect of aerosols in the clear-sky condition. Aerosol and cloud properties mainly come from Moderate Resolution Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MODIS), and TOA broadband radiative fluxes are derived from Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) data sets. The clear-clean sky radiative fluxes from the Mordern Era Retrospective analysis (MERRA) are also collocated to calculate the aerosol direct radiative effect. Aerosol type discrimination is implemented using the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) data. We try to separate the effects of natural and anthropogenic components by looking at the direct radiative forcing by different aerosol types. We also try to look at the aerosol direct radiative effect over land by using the MODIS Deep Blue algorithm aerosol products.