MCD43D08: Daily Global BRDF Volumetric Parameter for MODIS Band 3 at 1km Resolution

MCD43D08 Version 6.1 provides the volumetric parameter for the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo model for MODIS band 3. The dataset is produced daily by NASA using 16 days of combined Terra and Aqua MODIS data at a 30 arc second (approximately 1,000 meter) resolution, covering the entire globe as a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) product. Data are temporally weighted to the ninth day of the 16-day period.

Use Cases

• Modeling land surface reflectance anisotropy based on the volumetric BRDF parameter.
• Deriving albedo values for MODIS band 3 in conjunction with isotropic and geometric parameters.
• Assessing surface radiative properties for climate simulation models based on the global Climate Modeling Grid.
• Filtering data quality for science applications using the band-specific quality flags mentioned in the User Guide.

Strengths

• Produced daily using data from two satellite platforms (Terra and Aqua MODIS).
• Global coverage at a consistent 30 arc second (1,000 meter) spatial resolution.
• Version 6.1 incorporates specific calibration improvements including RVS, optical crosstalk, and polarization corrections.
• Includes links to a detailed User Guide and a known issues website for quality assessment.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Each product file contains just one data layer, which may complicate multi-parameter analysis.

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 with data temporally weighted to the ninth day of a 16-day period.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:25:32.011591; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global coverage.