MCD43D20: Daily Global BRDF Volumetric Parameter for MODIS Band 7

MCD43D20 Version 6.1 is a daily global dataset of the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) volumetric parameter for MODIS band 7, produced by NASA. It is generated using 16 days of combined Terra and Aqua MODIS data at a 30 arc second (approximately 1,000 meter) resolution, temporally weighted to the ninth day. This Climate Modeling Grid product is designed for use in climate simulation models.

Use Cases

• Modeling surface reflectance anisotropy for climate simulations based on the BRDF volumetric parameter.
• Deriving albedo values for MODIS band 7 in conjunction with the isotropic and geometric parameters.
• Assessing land surface radiative properties over time using the daily, globally gridded data.
• Filtering data quality for scientific applications using the band-specific quality flags mentioned in the user guide.

Strengths

• Data is produced daily using a 16-day composite from two satellite platforms (Terra and Aqua MODIS).
• Provides global coverage at a 30 arc second (1,000 meter) Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) resolution.
• Version 6.1 incorporates specific calibration improvements, including RVS, crosstalk, and polarization corrections.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Each product file contains just one data layer, which may complicate multi-band analysis.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

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

Time Range

Daily production; temporal coverage is not explicitly stated.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:25:16.726845; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global