VNP43D06: VIIRS BRDF Geometric Parameter for Band M2

Global daily data provides the geometric parameter for the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo model for the VIIRS satellite's M2 band (0.445 μm). This 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution product is generated using a 16-day rolling window, temporally weighted to the ninth day, and formatted on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) for climate simulations. The geometric parameter, alongside isotropic and volumetric parameters, is used to derive surface reflectance and albedo values.

Use Cases

• Modeling surface albedo for climate simulations based on the Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) format.
• Analyzing land surface anisotropy and reflectance properties using the BRDF geometric parameter.
• Studying temporal changes in surface radiative properties from the daily, 16-day composite time series.
• Integrating VIIRS band M2 (blue wavelength) data into broader environmental monitoring workflows.

Strengths

• Provides global coverage on a Climate Modeling Grid designed for climate models.
• Offers daily temporal resolution using a 16-day composite to reduce noise.
• Cross-platform presence on NASA Earthdata and Data.gov signals its importance and validation.

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low; specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided.
• Each product file contains only a single data layer, which may complicate multi-parameter analysis.
• Known issues exist, requiring users to consult external quality assessment websites.

Provenance

Source

NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite, VIIRS instrument, processed by LPCLOUD.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data processed through the VNP43 algorithm suite.

Time Range

Covers the Suomi NPP mission lifetime; data is produced daily.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 according to NASA Earthdata and Data.gov.

Geography

Global.