VJ121: VIIRS Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity Swath Data

NOAA-20 VIIRS Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity (LST&E) Version 2 swath product provides daily, 6-minute snapshots of land surface temperature and spectral emissivity. The dataset is generated using a physics-based algorithm that simultaneously retrieves LST and emissivity for three thermal infrared bands at a 750-meter spatial resolution. It is designed for continuity with the MODIS Terra and Aqua mission products, employing an ASTER Temperature Emissivity Separation technique with an improved Water Vapor Scaling atmospheric correction.

Use Cases

• Monitoring urban heat island effects using high-temporal-resolution land surface temperature data.
• Improving land surface models by incorporating dynamic emissivity values for three thermal bands.
• Validating climate model outputs against satellite-derived temperature and emissivity observations.
• Assessing surface energy balance and evapotranspiration for agricultural water management.
• Conducting long-term environmental change studies by leveraging continuity with MODIS LST&E products.

Strengths

• Provides simultaneous retrieval of land surface temperature and spectral emissivity for three specific VIIRS bands (M14, M15, M16).
• Offers high temporal granularity with data produced in 6-minute increments of satellite acquisition.
• Ensures continuity with the established MODIS LST&E product line, using the same algorithmic approach and input atmospheric products.

Limitations

• Dataset size, row count, and specific column details are not provided in the available metadata.
• Product has a significant latency period, becoming available two months after satellite data acquisition.
• One source lists a last updated date of 2026-04-09, which is a future date and may indicate a metadata error.

Provenance

Source

LPCLOUD (via NASA Earthdata and Data.gov), derived from NOAA-20 VIIRS sensor.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data processed using a physics-based ASTER Temperature Emissivity Separation algorithm with Water Vapor Scaling atmospheric correction.

Time Range

Daily production in 6-minute increments; specific start date not provided.

Freshness

2026-04-09 20:47:41.354107 (Note: This is a future date and may be a metadata error)

Geography

Global swath coverage from the NOAA-20 satellite.