Global Satellite Remote Sensing Reflectance Data for Ocean Color

NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite data provides global remote sensing reflectance (RRS) measurements across multiple spectral bands. This Level-3 binned product is the foundational observable for retrieving ocean biogeochemical properties. The dataset is produced by the OB_CLOUD organization using the 2022.0 processing version.

Use Cases

• Retrieving chlorophyll-a concentration (chlor_a) from Rrs_443 and other RRS band values.
• Estimating the diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm (Kd_490) using RRS measurements.
• Developing and validating algorithms for Inherent Optical Properties (IOPs) from spectral RRS data.
• Assessing coastal water quality by analyzing RRS values in optically complex regions like Rrs_412.
• Filtering data for specific conditions using per-file quality flags for land, cloud, sun glint, and high aerosol.

Strengths

• Provides the foundational Rrs observable for multiple derived oceanographic products.
• Includes per-pixel quality flags for land, cloud, sun glint, and aerosol to support data filtering.
• Covers global spatial coverage from the NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite sensor.

Limitations

• Data quality is reduced in optically complex coastal and inland waters as noted in mission documentation.
• Specific row count, file size, and temporal range are not provided in the input.
• The input does not specify the license, which may restrict certain uses.

Provenance

Source

NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite sensor, processed by OB_CLOUD.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing measurements binned to Level-3 global products.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Global