NOAA-21 VIIRS: Global Ocean Reflectance Near Real-Time Data

Near real-time remote-sensing reflectance data from the NOAA-21 satellite's VIIRS instrument, processed by NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC. The dataset provides a quicklook snapshot of ocean color and atmospheric conditions using the best-available ancillary meteorological and ozone data. It is version R2022.0 and was last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Monitor near real-time ocean color and phytoplankton dynamics based on remote-sensing reflectance.
• Track atmospheric aerosol distribution over oceans using the satellite-derived reflectance data.
• Validate and calibrate oceanographic models with quicklook orbital snapshot data.
• Assess short-term environmental events like algal blooms using the near real-time product.

Strengths

• Produced by NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC, an authoritative source for ocean color data.
• Provides near real-time (quicklook) data for timely analysis.
• Last updated on 2026-03-13, indicating recent platform activity.

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.
• The description notes inputs and calibration are 'less than optimal' for these quicklook products.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ocean Biology DAAC.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the NOAA-21 spacecraft's VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) instrument.

Time Range

Near real-time (NRT) coverage, likely continuous.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:25:26.721157; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global mapped coverage.