VNP43D03: VIIRS BRDF Geometric Parameter for Band M1

VNP43D03 Version 1 provides the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) geometric parameter for the VIIRS band M1 (0.412 μm) at a 30 arc second (1,000 meter) resolution. This daily product is generated using a 16-day temporal window, weighted to the ninth day, and is formatted in a global Climate Modeling Grid (CMG). The geometric parameter, alongside isotropic and volumetric parameters, is used to derive BRDF and albedo values for the specific spectral band.

Use Cases

• Deriving land surface albedo for climate models based on the geometric BRDF parameter.
• Analyzing surface anisotropy and reflectance changes over time using the daily, 16-day composite data.
• Integrating spectral band-specific BRDF parameters (M1 at 0.412 μm) into broader land surface radiative property analyses.

Strengths

• Provides a specific geometric parameter for a defined spectral band (VIIRS M1 at 0.412 μm).
• Offers global coverage at a consistent 1,000-meter resolution in a Climate Modeling Grid.
• 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• The Version 1 product was decommissioned on July 31, 2025, indicating it is obsolete.
• Known issues exist, such as reduced input observations due to high aerosol flag activation in upstream data.
• Column names and exact data size are unspecified across all sources.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Produced daily from Suomi NPP VIIRS sensor data using a 16-day temporal composite.

Freshness

Last updated metadata dates conflict: 2026-04-09 on datagov and 2025-02-01 on nasa_earthdata, but the product itself is decommissioned.

Geography

Global