Suomi-NPP VIIRS: Global Ocean Remote-Sensing Reflectance

Near real-time remote sensing reflectance data from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite instrument. The Ocean Biology DAAC produces these products using the best-available ancillary meteorological and ozone data. The data supports retrieval of ocean color products like chlorophyll-a and supports water-quality and ecosystem applications.

Use Cases

• Retrieving chlorophyll-a concentration based on remote sensing reflectance bands.
• Developing and validating ocean color algorithms based on Rrs spectral data.
• Monitoring coastal and inland water quality based on reflectance measurements.
• Studying ocean optical properties and inherent optical properties (IOPs) based on Rrs.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time data, offering a snapshot within a single orbit.
• Includes per-file quality flags for land, cloud, sun glint, and high aerosol.
• Serves as the foundational observable for retrieving multiple geophysical ocean products.

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 inputs and calibration used are described as 'less than optimal' compared to standard products.

Provenance

Source

Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS instrument.

Freshness

Near real-time

Geography

Global