VNP43D31: VIIRS NIR BRDF Isotropic Parameter Daily Global Climate Grid

NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite data provides the isotropic parameter for the Near-Infrared broadband Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) at 0.865 μm. This daily product is generated using a 16-day rolling window, temporally weighted to the ninth day, and is formatted on a 30 arc-second Climate Modeling Grid covering the entire globe. The parameter is a fundamental component for deriving surface albedo and reflectance anisotropy, used in climate simulation models.

Use Cases

• Deriving NIR broadband albedo values based on the BRDF isotropic, volumetric, and geometric parameters.
• Inputting daily, globally-complete surface reflectance data into climate simulation models based on the Climate Modeling Grid format.
• Analyzing temporal changes in land surface anisotropy using the 16-day rolling data composite.
• Studying the impact of aerosol contamination on BRDF/albedo retrievals based on known issues with the high aerosol flag.

Strengths

• Provides a specific, fundamental model parameter (isotropic) for the VIIRS NIR broadband at 0.865 μm.
• Offers daily, global coverage at a consistent 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution.
• Is part of a larger, well-documented product suite (VNP43D) with an Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document.

Limitations

• The Version 1 product was decommissioned on July 31, 2025, indicating it is a legacy dataset.
• Known issues exist, such as reduced data quality due to abnormally high activation of the high aerosol flag in upstream products.
• Column names and exact data size are unspecified across all sources.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

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

Freshness

Last updated metadata dates conflict: 2026-04-09 on datagov vs. 2025-02-01 on nasa_earthdata.

Geography

Global, provided on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG).