VNP43D18: VIIRS BRDF Geometric Parameter for Band M7

VNP43D18 Version 1 was decommissioned on July 31, 2025. This daily product provides the geometric model parameter for the Suomi NPP VIIRS band M7 (0.865 μm) at 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution, derived from a rolling 16-day window of data temporally weighted to the ninth day. The single data layer is part of a global Climate Modeling Grid suite used to derive Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function and Albedo values for climate simulation.

Use Cases

• Deriving BRDF/Albedo values for VIIRS band M7 based on the geometric parameter in conjunction with isotropic and volumetric parameters.
• Inputting daily, globally-complete model parameters into climate simulation models based on the Climate Modeling Grid format.
• Analyzing temporal trends in land surface reflectance anisotropy using a 16-day composite product weighted to a central date.
• Investigating impacts of aerosol contamination on BRDF/Albedo retrievals based on known issues with upstream data flags.

Strengths

• Provides a specific, single model parameter (geometric) for a defined spectral band (M7 at 0.865 μm) at a consistent 1km resolution.
• Offers daily, global coverage in a Climate Modeling Grid format designed for direct use in climate models.
• Is part of a well-documented product suite with methodology detailed in an Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document.

Limitations

• The dataset is deprecated (Version 1 decommissioned July 2025), directing users to newer versions.
• Metadata on row count, file size, and specific columns is unavailable across all sources.
• Known issues exist regarding reduced input observations due to upstream aerosol flagging problems.

Provenance

Source

NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite, Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor.

Collection Method

Produced daily using 16 days of data, processed through the VNP43 BRDF/Albedo algorithm.

Time Range

Daily production, but specific date range of available data is not provided.

Freshness

2026-04-09 21:16:56.740164

Geography

Global coverage.