VNP43D39: VIIRS DNB BRDF Geometric Parameter for Global Climate Models

VNP43D39 provides a single model parameter for the VIIRS Day/Night Band, one of 39 distinct files in a suite designed for climate simulation. This daily product synthesizes 16 days of observations into a temporally weighted, global Climate Modeling Grid at 1-kilometer resolution. The geometric parameter is essential for deriving accurate nighttime and low-light surface reflectance and albedo values.

Use Cases

• Modeling nighttime surface albedo for energy balance studies based on the Day/Night Band geometric parameter.
• Incorporating temporally smoothed surface anisotropy into climate simulations using the 16-day composite data.
• Analyzing global land surface radiative properties at a consistent 1km scale for the Climate Modeling Grid.
• Deriving complete BRDF/Albedo values for the VIIRS DNB by combining this file with its isotropic and volumetric counterparts.

Strengths

• Provides global coverage on a standardized Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) for direct use in models.
• Offers daily production with a 16-day temporal composite, balancing recency with signal-to-noise reduction.
• Cross-platform presence on NASA Earthdata and Data.gov signals its importance and curation within official archives.

Limitations

• Each file contains only one data layer, requiring users to manage 39 separate files for a complete parameter set.
• Metadata completeness is medium; specific column names and exact data volume are not provided in the sources.
• Known issues exist, requiring users to consult an external quality assessment website for full details.

Provenance

Source

NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite, processed by LPCLOUD.

Collection Method

Derived from Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor data using a BRDF/Albedo model.

Time Range

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

Freshness

2026-04-09 20:52:07.310959

Geography

Global