VNP43D61: Black-Sky Albedo for VIIRS Band M10

Global daily black-sky albedo data at 1,000-meter resolution is produced from the Suomi NPP VIIRS sensor for the M10 band (1.61 μm). The dataset is generated using a 16-day temporal composite, weighted to the ninth day, and formatted on a Climate Modeling Grid for climate simulation models. This product is part of a larger suite providing albedo values for multiple VIIRS spectral bands.

Use Cases

• Modeling surface energy balance in climate simulations based on the black-sky albedo parameter.
• Analyzing temporal changes in land surface reflectance using the 16-day composite, daily-updated time series.
• Integrating VIIRS-derived albedo data into broader geospatial analyses of surface radiative properties.

Strengths

• Provides global spatial coverage on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) designed for climate models.
• Offers a consistent daily temporal composite using a 16-day data window for stability.
• Dataset is hosted by authoritative sources (NASA/NOAA) and is part of a well-documented product suite.

Limitations

• This specific version (V001) was decommissioned on July 31, 2025, indicating it is not the current operational product.
• Metadata for row count, file size, and specific columns is not provided across the listed platforms.
• A known issue with an abnormally high aerosol flag in Collection 1 data is noted but not fully detailed.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Suomi NPP satellite.

Collection Method

Produced daily from Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor data using a Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo model.

Freshness

Last updated metadata dates range from 2025-02-01 to 2026-04-09, but the underlying data product version is decommissioned.

Geography

Global