Annual Global Radiance Summary From Multi-Angle Satellite Observations

MISR Level 3 data provides a global statistical summary of top-of-atmosphere spectral radiance and albedo. The product aggregates one year of observations from nine cameras across four spectral bands onto a 0.5-degree geographic grid. NASA's Langley Research Center Cloud group produces this ongoing data collection, with each file covering December through November.

Use Cases

• Model aerosol optical depth and type using the statistical summary of Bidirectional Reflectance Factor (BDRF) for sub-region classifications.
• Analyze seasonal trends in surface albedo from the spectral expansive albedos reported for several sky classifications.
• Study cloud height and type distribution by leveraging multi-angle radiance measurements from the nine cameras at 0, 26.1, 45.6, 60.0, and 70.5-degree view angles.
• Monitor long-term vegetation canopy changes using the annual summaries of radiance in the four spectral bands centered at 443, 555, 670, and 865 nm.

Strengths

• Data provides global coverage achieved by the satellite in a nine-day repeat cycle.
• Product offers multi-angle observations from nine cameras across four distinct spectral bands.
• Annual summaries are reported on a consistent 0.5-degree by 0.5-degree geographic grid.

Limitations

• Specific row count, column details, and sample size for statistical summaries are unknown.
• Data is a processed statistical summary (Level 3), not the raw radiance measurements (Level 1).
• Temporal resolution is annual, which may be too coarse for studying sub-seasonal phenomena.

Provenance

Source

NASA Langley Research Center Cloud group (LARC_CLOUD) via the NASA Earthdata platform.

Collection Method

Data is gathered by the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on the Terra satellite, using nine push-broom cameras.

Time Range

Each product covers one year, from December of the previous year through November of the current year.

Freshness

Data collection is described as ongoing, but specific update frequency or last update date is unknown.

Geography

Global coverage.