MCD43D23: Daily Global BRDF/Albedo Volumetric Parameter for Visible Broadband

Daily global data produced using 16 days of Terra and Aqua MODIS observations, temporally weighted to the ninth day. The MCD43D23 product provides the volumetric parameter for the visible broadband, used with isotropic and geometric parameters to derive Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo values at 30 arc second (1,000 meter) resolution. It is produced by NASA for use in climate simulation models and was decommissioned in July 2023 in favor of the Version 6.1 product.

Use Cases

• Deriving surface albedo for climate models based on the volumetric, isotropic, and geometric BRDF parameters.
• Analyzing daily land surface reflectance properties based on the visible broadband parameter.
• Incorporating high-latitude observational data into models based on the use of all available observations.
• Assessing land surface changes using the temporally weighted ninth-day value from a 16-day observation window.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage at 30 arc second (approximately 1,000 meter) resolution.
• Data is produced daily using a 16-day observation window from two satellite platforms (Terra and Aqua MODIS).
• Specific known issues and corrections are documented, with guidance provided for using quality flags.

Limitations

• The Version 6 product has been decommissioned; users are directed to use Version 6.1.
• Known issues in Collection 6, particularly over arid bright surfaces, may impact data quality.
• 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, with data weighted to the ninth day of a 16-day period.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:42:03.878093; freshness should be verified as the dataset is decommissioned.

Geography

Global