VNP43D32: VIIRS NIR BRDF Volumetric Parameter for Global Climate Models

VNP43D32 Version 1 was decommissioned on July 31, 2025, with users directed to newer Version 2 products. This daily, global dataset provides the volumetric model parameter for the Near-Infrared broadband (0.865 μm) derived from the Suomi NPP VIIRS sensor. It is part of a 39-file suite designed for climate simulation models, using 16 days of observations weighted to a central date and projected on a 30 arc-second Climate Modeling Grid.

Use Cases

• Deriving NIR broadband albedo values based on the provided volumetric, isotropic, and geometric BRDF model parameters.
• Inputting surface radiative properties into global climate simulation models based on the Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) format.
• Analyzing temporal changes in land surface reflectance anisotropy using the daily, 16-day composite time series.
• Studying the impact of aerosol contamination on BRDF/Albedo products, referencing the documented known issue with the high aerosol flag.

Strengths

• Provides a specific, single data layer (volumetric parameter for NIR) as part of a standardized, well-documented global product suite (VNP43D).
• Offers daily global coverage at a consistent 30 arc-second (approximately 1,000 meter) spatial resolution.
• Cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA Earthdata signals its importance and established use in the scientific community.

Limitations

• The dataset is deprecated (Version 1 decommissioned July 2025), indicating it is not for current operational use.
• Metadata on specific file size, row count, and detailed column structure is unavailable across all sources.
• A known issue exists where an abnormally high aerosol flag in upstream data reduces the number of acceptable observations for BRDF retrieval.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Produced daily from 16 days of Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) observations, temporally weighted to the ninth day.

Freshness

2026-04-09 (Data.gov), though this refers to metadata for a decommissioned product.

Geography

Global coverage on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG).