VNP43D27: VIIRS BRDF Geometric Parameter for Band M11

Global daily data provides the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) geometric parameter for the VIIRS satellite's band M11 (2.25 μm) at a 30 arc second (1,000 meter) resolution. This parameter, combined with isotropic and volumetric parameters, is used to derive BRDF and albedo values for climate simulation models. The product is part of a suite of 39 separate files covering multiple spectral bands and is generated daily using a 16-day rolling window of observations.

Use Cases

• Deriving surface albedo for climate models based on the geometric BRDF parameter.
• Analyzing temporal changes in land surface reflectance in the 2.25 μm spectral band.
• Inputting into land surface process models that require directional reflectance information.
• Assessing the impact of aerosol contamination on BRDF/albedo product quality.

Strengths

• Provides a single, focused data layer (the geometric parameter) for a specific VIIRS band, optimized for large-scale climate grids.
• Offers global coverage at a consistent 1,000-meter resolution, suitable for climate simulation models.
• Is produced daily using a 16-day data window, providing a temporally smoothed product weighted to the ninth day.

Limitations

• The dataset (Version 1) was decommissioned on July 31, 2025, indicating it is an archived, not current, product.
• Metadata completeness is medium; specific column names and row counts are not provided.
• Known issues exist, such as reduced quality due to high aerosol flag activation in upstream data.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

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

Freshness

Last updated on 2026-04-09 according to one platform, but the product itself was decommissioned in 2025.

Geography

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