VIIRS/NPP Daily BRDF Model Parameters for Global Albedo Estimation

NASA's VNP43MA1N product provides daily Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and albedo model parameters at a 1 km resolution globally. It is generated using a 16-day rolling window of data from the VIIRS/NPP satellite, applying the RossThick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal kernel-driven model. The dataset includes 24 Science Dataset layers, such as the fiso, fvol, and fgeo kernel weights for multiple spectral bands, enabling researchers to model surface anisotropy and calculate albedo.

Use Cases

• Calculate black-sky albedo at any solar angle using the provided fiso, fvol, and fgeo BRDF model parameters.
• Manually estimate instantaneous blue-sky albedo by combining the black-sky and white-sky albedo Science Dataset layers.
• Correct directional reflectance to a common view geometry for consistent multi-temporal analysis of land surface changes.
• Study surface anisotropy and radiative properties across VIIRS moderate resolution bands M1-M5, M7-M8, and M10-M11.

Strengths

• Provides daily, near-real-time global coverage at a consistent 1 km spatial resolution.
• Based on a peer-reviewed, semi-empirical RTLSR BRDF model documented in a public Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document.
• Contains 24 specific data layers, including three multi-dimensional model parameter bands for detailed analysis.
• Cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA EarthData indicates established importance and reliability.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as row count, file size, and exact temporal coverage are not provided by any source.
• The license is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' on Data.gov but is null on NASA EarthData, creating a conflict.
• Data product relies on a 16-day composite window, meaning daily values are influenced by observations from the preceding 15 days.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Processed from 16-day rolling composites of data collected by the VIIRS instrument aboard the Suomi NPP satellite.

Time Range

null

Freshness

2026-03-12 20:12:21.612828

Geography

Global