Global Ocean Remote Sensing Reflectance Data from VIIRS

NOAA-21 VIIRS satellite data provides global mapped remote sensing reflectance (RRS) values, the foundational observable for ocean color products. The dataset, version 2025.0, is produced by the OB_CLOUD organization. It is used for retrieving chlorophyll-a concentration, diffuse attenuation coefficients, and inherent optical properties.

Use Cases

• Retrieve chlor_a concentration using Rrs_443 and other Rrs_λ band inputs.
• Calculate the diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd_490 from Rrs_490 and related bands.
• Derive inherent optical properties (IOPs) from the suite of Rrs variables.
• Assess water quality in coastal regions by analyzing Rrs values from multiple spectral bands.
• Flag data quality for specific pixels using per-file flags for land, cloud, sun glint, and high aerosol.

Strengths

• Provides the foundational Rrs observable for a suite of derived oceanographic products.
• Includes per-pixel quality flags for land, cloud, sun glint, and high aerosol to support data filtering.

Limitations

• Data quality requires careful review in optically complex coastal and inland waters as noted in documentation.
• Specific row counts, geographic resolution, and temporal coverage details are not provided in the input.

Provenance

Source

NOAA-21 VIIRS satellite via NASA Earthdata platform.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing measurements processed to Level-3 global mapped products.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Global