Monthly Global Radiance Summary from Multi-Angle Satellite Imagery

NASA's MISR instrument provides a global statistical summary of top-of-atmosphere radiance and albedo. Data is averaged monthly on a 0.5-degree geographic grid, derived from nine cameras viewing Earth at multiple angles. This Level 3 product is produced by the LARC_CLOUD organization from ongoing satellite observations.

Use Cases

• Model aerosol optical depth and type by analyzing the statistical summary of Bidirectional Reflectance Factor across four spectral bands (443, 555, 670, 865 nm).
• Track seasonal trends in cloud height and type using the monthly-averaged spectral expansive albedos for different sky classifications.
• Monitor global vegetation canopy structure changes via the multi-angle radiance parameters reported on the 0.5-degree grid.
• Study the angular reflectance properties of Earth's surface using radiance data from the nine cameras at view angles of 0, 26.1, 45.6, 60.0, and 70.5 degrees.

Strengths

• Global coverage achieved every nine days by the nine-camera instrument.
• Data reported on a consistent geographic grid with 0.5-degree by 0.5-degree resolution.
• Provides multi-angle observations at five distinct view angles (0 to 70.5 degrees) across four spectral bands.

Limitations

• Data is a statistical summary (Level 3 product), not raw radiance measurements, which may limit granular analysis.
• Temporal resolution is monthly averages, which may obscure shorter-term atmospheric events.
• Specific sample size (row count) and completeness metrics for the summarized grid are unknown.

Provenance

Source

Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on a NASA satellite, processed by LARC_CLOUD.

Collection Method

Radiance measurements from nine push-broom cameras at four spectral bands, averaged over a month and summarized onto a geographic grid.

Time Range

Coverage is monthly; specific start date and current temporal range are unknown.

Freshness

Data collection is described as ongoing, but specific update frequency for the Level 3 product is unknown.

Geography

Global coverage.