NOAA-21 VIIRS: Global Mapped Vegetation Index Near Real-time Data

NOAA-21 VIIRS Level-3 Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data provides a global snapshot of vegetation health. The dataset is produced in near real-time by the Ocean Biology DAAC at NASA using satellite sensor data. It is a quicklook product generated with the best-available ancillary data during a short time period within a single orbit.

Use Cases

• Monitor near real-time vegetation health and stress based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).
• Track short-term changes in global biosphere activity based on single-orbit snapshot data.
• Assimilate preliminary satellite observations into environmental models based on the quicklook product nature.

Strengths

• Data is produced in near real-time (NRT), offering timely snapshots.
• Provides global spatial coverage of vegetation indices.
• Produced by NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC, an authoritative source for satellite-derived ocean and land biology data.

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' as it is a quicklook product.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Satellite sensor data from the NOAA-21 VIIRS instrument, processed into Level-3 global mapped products.

Time Range

Near real-time, covering short time periods within single orbits.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:16:42.923454; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global.