VNP43D53: VIIRS/NPP BRDF and Albedo Pixel Uncertainty

VNP43D53 is a global satellite-derived dataset providing the uncertainty range for each pixel in the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo product from the Suomi NPP VIIRS instrument. It is produced daily using a 16-day data composite at a 30 arc-second (approximately 1,000 meter) resolution, temporally weighted to the ninth day, and formatted on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) for climate simulations. The product is part of a suite that includes quality flags, local solar noon, valid observation counts, and snow status.

Use Cases

• Quantifying confidence in surface albedo estimates for climate model initialization based on the pixel-level uncertainty range.
• Assessing retrieval quality for downstream products like vegetation indices by referencing the associated BRDF/Albedo quality layers described in the VNP43D suite.
• Analyzing temporal trends in surface reflectance uncertainty at a global, 1-km scale using the daily, 16-day composite product.
• Masking or weighting pixels in continental-scale energy balance studies based on the provided uncertainty metric.

Strengths

• Provides a dedicated, pixel-level uncertainty layer for a key climate variable (albedo/BRDF), which is critical for error propagation in models.
• Has undergone documented improvements including better calibration coefficients, geolocation accuracy, and aerosol flag corrections over bright surfaces.
• Is part of a long-term, operational satellite mission (Suomi NPP VIIRS) with a defined processing version (V002) and algorithm documentation.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided in the available sources.
• Relies on a 16-day composite for daily production, which may smooth over rapid surface changes.
• Has known issues requiring users to consult an external website for complete details, indicating potential undocumented data artifacts.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing, with data processed using the VNP43 algorithm suite.

Time Range

Covers the operational period of the Suomi NPP mission; specific start date not provided.

Freshness

Last updated metadata indicates 2026-04-09, though this may reflect system metadata rather than data currency.

Geography

Global coverage on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG).