VNP43D44: VIIRS Satellite Valid Observation Quality for Band M3

NASA/NOAA's Suomi NPP VIIRS VNP43D44 product provides a daily global layer of valid observation quality for band M3, derived from 16 days of data at 1,000-meter resolution. The data are temporally weighted to the ninth day and formatted on a Climate Modeling Grid for use in climate simulations. This product is part of a suite detailing BRDF, albedo, and related parameters for moderate resolution bands.

Use Cases

• Assessing data quality for surface reflectance retrievals in climate models based on the valid observation quality layer.
• Analyzing temporal trends in land surface observations using the 16-day rolling composite methodology.
• Validating downstream products like vegetation indices (VNP13) and BRDF/Albedo (VNP43) using the improved calibration flags.
• Studying global snow status and aerosol impacts on surface reflectance over bright landscapes.

Strengths

• Provides daily, global coverage at a consistent 30 arc-second (1,000-meter) resolution.
• Incorporates improvements from a specific version update, including better calibration coefficients and geolocation accuracy for the entire Suomi NPP mission.
• Designed specifically for climate simulation models via the Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) format.

Limitations

• Column names and precise row/size metadata are not provided in any source description.
• The 'last updated' field shows a future date (2026-03-12) on one platform, indicating a potential metadata conflict or error.
• Known issues are referenced but not detailed, requiring users to consult an external website for complete information.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the Suomi NPP spacecraft's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).

Time Range

Covers the entire Suomi NPP mission with daily production using a rolling 16-day window.

Freshness

2026-03-12 20:31:47.722926

Geography

Global