Suomi-NPP VIIRS: Global Remote-Sensing Reflectance (RRS) Near Real-time Data

The Ocean Biology DAAC produces near real-time remote sensing reflectance (RRS) data from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite. This foundational observable supports the retrieval of products like chlorophyll-a concentration (chlor_a), diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd_490), and inherent optical properties (IOPs). Users must review per-file quality flags for land, cloud, sun glint, and high aerosol, especially in optically complex coastal and inland waters.

Use Cases

• Algorithm development and validation based on the foundational remote sensing reflectance (RRS) observable.
• Retrieving chlorophyll-a concentration (chlor_a) products from RRS data.
• Calculating the diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd_490) for water clarity studies.
• Deriving inherent optical properties (IOPs) for ocean biogeochemistry research.
• Monitoring water quality and supporting ecosystem applications in coastal and inland waters.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) data, offering a snapshot from a single orbit.
• Serves as the foundational observable for retrieving key oceanographic products like chlor_a and Kd_490.
• Includes per-file quality flags for land, cloud, sun glint, and high aerosol to guide data usage.

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 NRT processing uses the best-available ancillary data, which the description notes is 'less than optimal' compared to standard products.

Provenance

Source

Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD) via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS instrument.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT); update frequency is unknown.

Geography

Global.