VNP43D37: VIIRS Day/Night Band BRDF Isotropic Parameter

Daily global data from the Suomi NPP satellite's VIIRS Day/Night Band (0.7 μm) provides the isotropic parameter for modeling surface reflectance. This parameter, part of a three-parameter BRDF/Albedo model, is generated at 1,000-meter resolution using a 16-day rolling composite weighted to the ninth day. The product is formatted on a Climate Modeling Grid for use in climate simulations.

Use Cases

• Modeling nocturnal surface reflectance and albedo based on the VIIRS Day/Night Band isotropic parameter.
• Inputting BRDF model parameters into climate simulation models based on the global Climate Modeling Grid format.
• Analyzing temporal trends in land surface anisotropy using the daily, 16-day composite data product.
• Assessing impacts of aerosol contamination on BRDF retrievals based on the documented known issue with the high aerosol flag.

Strengths

• Provides a specific parameter for the unique VIIRS Day/Night Band, extending standard BRDF products.
• Offers global, daily coverage at a consistent 1,000-meter (30 arc-second) spatial resolution.
• Data is temporally composited and weighted to reduce noise, using observations from a 16-day window.

Limitations

• This Version 1 product was officially decommissioned on July 31, 2025, directing users to newer versions.
• Metadata for row count, file size, and specific columns is unavailable across all sources.
• Product quality is noted to be affected by an abnormally high activation of an upstream aerosol flag, reducing usable observations.

Provenance

Source

NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite, Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data processed through the VNP43 BRDF/Albedo algorithm.

Time Range

Daily production, using a 16-day data composite.

Freshness

2026-04-09 20:53:39.521062

Geography

Global coverage on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG).