MCD43D28: Daily Global Shortwave Albedo Parameter for Climate Models

MCD43D28 Version 6 is a NASA-produced daily global dataset of the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) isotropic parameter for the shortwave broadband. It is generated at a 30 arc second (approximately 1,000 meter) resolution using 16 days of combined MODIS data from the Terra and Aqua satellites, temporally weighted to the ninth day. This product was decommissioned on July 31, 2023, with users directed to the Version 6.1 replacement.

Use Cases

• Deriving shortwave broadband albedo values based on the isotropic, volumetric, and geometric BRDF parameters described.
• Inputting daily, globally consistent land surface radiative properties into climate simulation models as indicated by its Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) designation.
• Isolating high-quality full inversion results for science applications based on the band-specific quality flags referenced in the user guide.

Strengths

• Provides a single, globally consistent data layer at 30 arc second resolution for integration into climate models.
• Uses a 16-day observation window weighted to a central day to improve temporal representation.
• Incorporates improvements for high-latitude quality by using all available observations, unlike previous versions.

Limitations

• This specific Version 6 product is decommissioned; the description urges users to avoid substantive use and switch to Version 6.1.
• Known issues in the Collection 6 surface reflectance inputs, particularly over arid bright surfaces, may have impacted this product.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

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

Time Range

Daily production.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:25:21.024495; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global coverage.