VNP43D02: VIIRS BRDF Volumetric Parameter for Band M1

Daily global data from the Suomi NPP VIIRS sensor provides the volumetric model parameter for Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and albedo calculations for band M1 (0.412 μm). Each file is produced using a 16-day rolling window of observations, temporally weighted to the ninth day, and is gridded at a 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG). This specific parameter is part of a larger suite of 39 files that model isotropic, volumetric, and geometric parameters across multiple spectral bands for use in climate and land surface studies.

Use Cases

• Deriving surface albedo for climate models based on the BRDF model parameters.
• Analyzing land surface anisotropy and reflectance properties in the 0.412 μm wavelength.
• Inputting volumetric kernel weights for BRDF correction in downstream VIIRS data products.
• Studying long-term trends in surface reflectance characteristics using a daily, globally-complete grid.

Strengths

• Provides a single, globally-complete Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) layer for direct use in simulations.
• Offers daily temporal resolution synthesized from a 16-day observation window for temporal consistency.
• Part of a standardized, well-documented NASA/NOAA product suite with an Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD).

Limitations

• The Version 1 product was decommissioned on July 31, 2025, indicating users must migrate to Version 2.
• Metadata on specific columns, row counts, and file sizes is unavailable across all sources.
• Known issues with upstream aerosol flagging reduce the number of acceptable observations used as input.

Provenance

Source

NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP VIIRS sensor, processed by LPCLOUD.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data processed through a BRDF/albedo inversion algorithm.

Time Range

Daily production, using a rolling 16-day input window.

Freshness

2026-04-09 20:42:17.444602

Geography

Global coverage.