Daily Global BRDF Model Parameters from MODIS Satellites

MCD19A3DN provides three RossThick/Li-Sparse BRDF model coefficients for each 1-kilometer pixel globally, describing surface reflectance anisotropy under cloud-free conditions. The data is produced daily by NASA's MODIS instruments on the Terra and Aqua satellites, incorporating Version 6.1 calibration improvements including polarization corrections.

Use Cases

• Modeling surface albedo and reflectance anisotropy using the three BRDF coefficients.
• Monitoring daily changes in land surface bidirectional reflectance properties.
• Assessing cloud-free surface conditions for vegetation or land cover studies.
• Applying the RossThick/Li-Sparse BRDF model to correct satellite imagery for angular effects.

Strengths

• Daily global coverage at 1-kilometer resolution.
• Incorporates calibration improvements for Terra MODIS from 2012-2017.
• Provides three specific model coefficients per pixel for BRDF modeling.

Limitations

• Data represents only cloud-free and low aerosol conditions, excluding other atmospheric states.
• Specific row count, file size, and temporal coverage range are unknown.
• The 1-kilometer resolution may be coarse for local-scale analysis.

Provenance

Source

NASA MODIS instruments on Terra and Aqua satellites.

Collection Method

Near Real-Time processing of satellite observations using the MAIAC atmospheric correction algorithm.

Freshness

Daily

Geography

Global