VNP43D20: VIIRS BRDF Volumetric Parameter for Band M8

VNP43D20 Version 1 is a decommissioned satellite data product providing the volumetric parameter for the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo model for VIIRS band M8 (1.240 μm). It is produced daily using a 16-day temporal window at a 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution on a global Climate Modeling Grid. The volumetric parameter, along with isotropic and geometric parameters, is used to derive surface reflectance and albedo values.

Use Cases

• Deriving land surface albedo for VIIRS band M8 based on BRDF model parameters.
• Inputting BRDF parameters into climate simulation models using global Climate Modeling Grid data.
• Analyzing temporal changes in surface reflectance using daily, temporally-weighted data composites.
• Studying land surface anisotropy by combining volumetric, isotropic, and geometric parameters.

Strengths

• Provides a specific BRDF model parameter (volumetric) for a defined VIIRS spectral band (M8 at 1.240 μm).
• Offers global spatial coverage on a Climate Modeling Grid suitable for climate models.
• Has a defined daily production cycle with a 16-day temporal weighting for stability.

Limitations

• The dataset is explicitly decommissioned (Version 1 ended July 31, 2025), limiting current usability.
• Known issues exist, such as reduced usable observations due to upstream aerosol flag errors.
• Column names and specific data structure are not provided in the metadata.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / NOAA Suomi NPP satellite.

Collection Method

Derived from VIIRS sensor data using BRDF/albedo modeling algorithms.

Freshness

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

Geography

Global coverage.