VJ143D17: VIIRS BRDF Volumetric Parameter for Band M7

VJ143D17 is a daily global dataset containing the volumetric model parameter for Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and albedo calculations derived from NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite observations. It is produced at a 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG), using a 16-day rolling window of data temporally weighted to the ninth day. This single-layer product, specific to band M7 (0.865 μm), is one of 39 files providing the three BRDF model parameters needed to derive surface reflectance and albedo.

Use Cases

• Deriving surface albedo for climate models based on the three BRDF model parameters (isotropic, volumetric, geometric).
• Analyzing land surface anisotropy and reflectance changes over time using the daily, globally-complete Climate Modeling Grid.
• Incorporating corrected geolocation and calibration data into land surface studies, as per the V002 algorithm improvements.
• Modeling radiative transfer for the 0.865 μm wavelength (VIIRS band M7) using the specific volumetric kernel parameter.

Strengths

• Provides a specific, foundational parameter (volumetric) for BRDF/albedo derivation at a consistent 1-km global resolution.
• Incorporates algorithm improvements from the V002 version, including better calibration coefficients and geolocation accuracy.
• Part of a systematic, cross-platform product suite (VJ143D01-D39) indicating established processing and importance for the community.

Limitations

• Critical metadata is missing or conflicting across sources: no column details, row counts, or file sizes are provided.
• The dataset is a single data layer; full BRDF analysis requires accessing multiple companion files (e.g., VJ143D01-D39).
• Documentation for known issues is external, requiring users to visit a separate assessment website.

Provenance

Source

LPCLOUD (NASA EOSDIS)

Collection Method

Satellite-derived from NOAA-20 VIIRS sensor, processed using a documented algorithm (ATBD).

Time Range

Daily production using a 16-day data window.

Freshness

2026-04-09 20:50:10.894949

Geography

Global coverage on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG).