VNP43D45: VIIRS Band M4 Valid Observation Quality Layer

Daily global data from 2012 onward, produced using a 16-day rolling window of observations from the Suomi NPP satellite's VIIRS instrument. The VNP43D45 product provides the valid observation quality layer for band M4 at 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG). It is part of a suite of BRDF/Albedo parameters designed for use in climate simulation models.

Use Cases

• Assessing input data quality for BRDF model inversions based on the valid observation layer.
• Monitoring temporal changes in surface reflectance characteristics using the daily, globally-covered CMG.
• Evaluating the impact of aerosol contamination on surface retrievals, as noted in the known issues.
• Integrating moderate-resolution band observations (M1-M5, M7, M8, M10, M11, DNB) into climate simulations.

Strengths

• Provides daily, global coverage at a consistent 30 arc-second resolution.
• Part of a standardized NASA/NOAA product suite with documented methodology and an Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD).

Limitations

• The Version 1 product was decommissioned on July 31, 2025; users must migrate to Version 2.
• Known issues indicate reduced quality over arid bright surfaces due to an abnormally high aerosol flag in upstream data.
• Metadata completeness is low; specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are unknown.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), via the Suomi NPP satellite.

Collection Method

Produced daily from Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) observations, using a 16-day data window temporally weighted to the ninth day.

Freshness

Last updated metadata on 2026-04-09, but the dataset itself is a decommissioned Version 1 product.

Geography

Global coverage on a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG).