VNP43D55: Black-Sky Albedo for VIIRS Band M2

Global daily black-sky albedo (BSA) data at 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution, produced from the Suomi NPP VIIRS instrument. The dataset is part of the VNP43D BRDF/Albedo product suite, calculated using a 16-day temporal window weighted to the ninth day and formatted for climate modeling grids. It provides directional hemispherical reflectance for the M2 band (0.445 μm) and is intended for climate simulation models.

Use Cases

• Climate model parameterization based on daily, global black-sky albedo values.
• Surface energy balance studies using the directional hemispherical reflectance for the 0.445 μm wavelength.
• Time-series analysis of land surface albedo changes leveraging the 16-day composite data window.
• Validation of climate simulation outputs against satellite-derived albedo observations.

Strengths

• Provides global coverage at a consistent 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) spatial resolution.
• Offers daily temporal granularity synthesized from a 16-day data window for stability.
• Specifically designed for use in climate simulation models (Climate Modeling Grid).

Limitations

• The Version 1 product was decommissioned on July 31, 2025, indicating it is outdated.
• Each file contains only one data layer due to large file size, limiting multi-band analysis per file.
• Column names and exact data structure are unknown from the provided metadata.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and NOAA Suomi NPP VIIRS instrument.

Collection Method

Produced daily using 16 days of VIIRS data, temporally weighted to the ninth day.

Freshness

2026-04-09 20:44:37.005151

Geography

Global