MCD43D48: Black-Sky Albedo for MODIS Band 7

Global daily land surface albedo data at 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution, produced using 16 days of Terra and Aqua MODIS observations. This dataset provides black-sky albedo (directional hemispherical reflectance) specifically for MODIS band 7, as part of a suite of 20 albedo layers designed for climate simulation models. Data are temporally weighted to the ninth day of a 16-day composite period.

Use Cases

• Modeling surface energy budgets in climate simulations based on the 30 arc-second Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) product.
• Analyzing temporal trends in land surface reflectance using daily, globally-complete data layers.
• Assessing surface anisotropy and albedo for MODIS spectral band 7, as defined by the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF).
• Isolating high-quality albedo retrievals for specific science applications using the band-specific quality flags described in the user guide.

Strengths

• Provides global coverage at a consistent 30 arc-second (1 km) spatial resolution suitable for climate models.
• Represents Version 6.1, which includes calibration improvements such as changes to the response-versus-scan angle (RVS) approach.
• Data is produced daily using a multi-day composite (16 days of MODIS data) to mitigate cloud cover and observation gaps.
• Cross-platform presence on NASA Earthdata and Data.gov signals its importance and established use in the scientific community.

Limitations

• Critical metadata is missing or conflicting across sources: specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are unknown.
• Each product file contains only a single data layer, requiring users to manage multiple files for a complete analysis.
• The dataset has known issues, requiring users to consult an external website for complete problem information.

Provenance

Source

LPCLOUD (MODIS Land Discipline Team)

Collection Method

Produced daily from 16 days of Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data.

Time Range

Daily production; temporal coverage is not explicitly stated but is ongoing with the MODIS mission.

Freshness

2026-04-10 00:19:24.519554

Geography

Global