VJ143D12: VIIRS BRDF Geometric Parameter for Band M4

NOAA-20 VIIRS VJ143D12 is a daily global dataset providing the geometric model parameter for Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and albedo calculations. It is derived from 16 days of observations at a 1,000-meter resolution, temporally weighted to the ninth day, and formatted on a Climate Modeling Grid for global climate simulations. This single-layer product, specific to the 0.555 μm (M4) band, is one of 39 files that together model surface reflectance anisotropy.

Use Cases

• Modeling surface albedo for climate simulations based on the provided BRDF model parameters.
• Analyzing temporal changes in land surface anisotropy using the daily, 16-day composite product.
• Integrating geometric reflectance parameters into radiative transfer models for the 0.555 μm wavelength.
• Studying global land surface properties at a consistent 1,000-meter Climate Modeling Grid resolution.

Strengths

• Provides global coverage on a standardized Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) designed for climate models.
• Incorporates algorithm improvements from a previous mission version, including better calibration and geolocation accuracy.
• Offers daily temporal resolution synthesized from a 16-day window, balancing noise reduction with recent observations.

Limitations

• Metadata for row count, column names, and exact file size is unavailable across all sources.
• Each of the 39 model parameter files contains only one data layer, requiring multiple file downloads for a complete analysis.
• Known issues exist and require external consultation of the MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website.

Provenance

Source

LPCLOUD (NASA Earthdata), derived from NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite sensor.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing, processed using a defined BRDF/albedo algorithm.

Time Range

Daily production, with data coverage likely spanning the NOAA-20 mission lifetime.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 according to nasa_earthdata and datagov.

Geography

Global.