Suomi-NPP VIIRS: Global Remote Sensing Reflectance Data

Remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) data from the Suomi-NPP satellite provides the foundational observable for ocean color analysis. Variables named by band center (e.g., Rrs_412, Rrs_443) support retrieval of products like chlorophyll-a concentration and water clarity. Users must review per-file quality flags for land, cloud, and sun glint, especially in optically complex coastal waters.

Use Cases

• Retrieving chlorophyll-a concentration (chlor_a) based on remote sensing reflectance bands.
• Estimating water clarity (Kd_490) based on the foundational Rrs observable.
• Developing and validating ocean color algorithms based on band-specific reflectance data.
• Monitoring water-quality in coastal and inland ecosystems based on flagged reflectance data.

Strengths

• Data provides the foundational observable (Rrs) for retrieving key oceanographic products.
• Variables are clearly named by their spectral band center (e.g., Rrs_412, Rrs_443).
• Description includes guidance on using quality flags for land, cloud, and sun glint.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic or temporal bias inherent to nasa_earthdata.

Provenance

Source

OB_CLOUD

Geography

Global