VIIRS/NPP BRDF/Albedo Quality Daily L3 Global 500m SIN Grid V002

The delivery of all Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) VIIRS science data products will cease on November 2, 2026 (2026/306). Data users are encouraged to transition to the equivalent VJ243MA2 (primary) or VJ143MA2 (secondary) data products. The NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo Quality (VNP43MA2) Version 2 product provides BRDF and Albedo quality at 1 kilometer (km) resolution. The VNP43MA2 product is produced daily using 16 days of VIIRS data and is weighted temporally to the ninth day, which is reflected in the file name. The VNP43MA2 product gives information regarding band quality and days of valid observation within a 16-day period for nine VIIRS moderate resolution bands and three broadbands. The VNP43 data products are designed to promote the continuity of NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF/Albedo data product suite. The VNP43 algorithm uses the RossThick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal (RTLSR) semi-empirical kernel-driven BRDF model, with the three kernel weights from VNP43MA1 to reconstruct surface anisotropic effects, correcting the directional reflectance to a common view geometry (VNP43MA4), while also computing integrated black-sky albedo (BSA) at local solar noon and white-sky albedo (WSA) (VNP43MA3). Researchers can use the BRDF model parameters with a simple polynomial, to obtain black-sky albedo at any solar illumination angle. Likewise, both the BSA and WSA Science Dataset (SDS) variables can be used with a simple polynomial, to manually estimate instantaneous actual albedo (blue-sky albedo). Additional details regarding the methodology are available in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD). The VNP43MA2 data product provides a total of 23 SDS variables including: BRDF/Albedo band quality and days of valid observation within a 16-day period for VIIRS moderate resolution bands M1-M5, M7-M8, and M10-M11; as well as land water type class flag; snow BRDF albedo class flag; local solar noon; albedo uncertainty and the platform name. Known Issues * For complete information about known issues please refer to the MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website.

The delivery of all Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) VIIRS science data products will cease on November 2, 2026 (2026/306). Data users are encouraged to transition to the equivalent VJ243DNBA2 (primary) or VJ143DNBA2 (secondary) data products. The NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo Quality (VNP43DNBA2) Version 2 product provides BRDF and Albedo quality at 1 kilometer (km) resolution. The VNP43DNBA2 product is produced daily using 16 days of VIIRS data and is weighted temporally to the ninth day, which is reflected in the file name. The VNP43DNBA2 product gives information regarding band quality and days of valid observation within a 16-day period for the VIIRS DNB. The VNP43 data products are designed to promote the continuity of NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF/Albedo data product suite. The VNP43 algorithm uses the RossThick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal (RTLSR) semi-empirical kernel-driven BRDF model, with the three kernel weights from VNP43DNBA1 to reconstruct surface anisotropic effects, correcting the directional reflectance to a common view geometry (VNP43DNBA4), while also computing integrated black-sky albedo (BSA) at local solar noon and white-sky albedo (WSA) (VNP43DNBA3). Researchers can use the BRDF model parameters with a simple polynomial to obtain black-sky albedo at any solar illumination angle. Likewise, both the BSA and WSA Science Dataset (SDS) variables can be used with a simple polynomial to manually estimate instantaneous actual albedo (blue-sky albedo). Additional details regarding the methodology are available in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD). The VNP43DNBA2 data product provides a total of seven SDS variables, including BRDF/Albedo band quality and days of valid observation within a 16-day period for the VIIRS DNB, as well as land water type class flag, snow BRDF albedo class flag, local solar noon, and the platform name. Known Issues * For complete information about known issues please refer to the MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website.

The delivery of all Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) VIIRS science data products will cease on November 2, 2026 (2026/306). Data users are encouraged to transition to the equivalent VJ243IA3 (primary) or VJ143IA3 (secondary) data products. The VNP43IA3 Version 1 data product was decommissioned on July 31, 2025. Users are encouraged to use the VNP43IA3 and VJ143IA3 Version 2 data products. The NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo (VNP43IA3) Version 2 product provides albedo values at 500 meter (m) resolution for the bihemispherical reflectance white-sky albedo (WSA) and directional hemispherical reflectance black-sky albedo (BSA) at local solar noon. The VNP43IA3 product is produced daily using 16 days of VIIRS data and is weighted temporally to the ninth day, which is reflected in the file name. The VNP43 data products are designed to promote the continuity of NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF/Albedo data product suite. The VNP43 algorithm uses the RossThick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal (RTLSR) semi-empirical kernel-driven BRDF model, with the three kernel weights from VNP43IA1 to reconstruct surface anisotropic effects, correcting the directional reflectance to a common view geometry (VNP43IA4), while also computing integrated black-sky albedo (BSA) at local solar noon and white-sky albedo (WSA) (VNP43IA3). Researchers can use the BRDF model parameters with a simple polynomial, to obtain black-sky albedo at any solar illumination angle. Likewise, both the BSA and WSA Science Dataset (SDS) variables can be used with a simple polynomial, to manually estimate instantaneous actual albedo (blue-sky albedo). Additional details regarding the methodology are available in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD). The VNP43IA3 product provides a total of 9 SDS variables including: BSA, WSA, and mandatory quality layers for VIIRS imagery bands I1, I2, and I3. A low-resolution browse image is also available showing retrievals of WSA for band I1 in JPEG format. Known Issues * For complete information about known issues please refer to the MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website.

The delivery of all Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) VIIRS science data products will cease on November 2, 2026 (2026/306). Data users are encouraged to transition to the equivalent VJ243IA4 (primary) or VJ143IA4 (secondary) data products. The NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Nadir Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) Adjusted Reflectance (NBAR) Version 2 product provides NBAR estimates at 500 meter (m) resolution. The VNP43IA4 product is produced daily using 16 days of VIIRS data and is weighted temporally to the ninth day, which is reflected in the file name. The view angle effects are removed from the directional reflectances, resulting in a stable and consistent NBAR product. The VNP43 data products are designed to promote the continuity of NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF/Albedo data product suite. The VNP43 algorithm uses the RossThick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal (RTLSR) semi-empirical kernel-driven BRDF model, with the three kernel weights from VNP43IA1 to reconstruct surface anisotropic effects, correcting the directional reflectance to a common view geometry (VNP43IA4), while also computing integrated black-sky albedo (BSA) at local solar noon and white-sky albedo (WSA) (VNP43IA3). Researchers can use the BRDF model parameters with a simple polynomial, to obtain black-sky albedo at any solar illumination angle. Likewise, both the BSA and WSA Science Dataset (SDS) variables can be used with a simple polynomial, to manually estimate instantaneous actual albedo (blue-sky albedo). Additional details regarding the methodology are available in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD). The VNP43IA4 product includes six SDS variables for BRDF/Albedo mandatory quality and nadir reflectance for VIIRS imagery bands I1, I2, and I3. A low-resolution browse image is also available showing NBAR bands I1, I2, and I1 as an RGB (red, green, blue) image in JPEG format. Known Issues * For complete information about known issues please refer to the MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website.

The delivery of all Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) VIIRS science data products will cease on November 2, 2026 (2026/306). Data users are encouraged to transition to the equivalent VJ243MA4 (primary) or VJ143MA4 (secondary) data products. The NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Nadir Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) Adjusted Reflectance (NBAR) Version 2 product provides NBAR estimates at 1 kilometer (km) resolution. The VNP43IA4 product is produced daily using 16-day VIIRS data and is weighted temporally to the 9th day, which is reflected in the file name. The view angle effects are removed from the directional reflectances resulting in a stable and consistent NBAR product. The VNP43 data products are designed after the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF/Albedo product suite to promote the continuity of the Earth Observation System (EOS) mission. The VNP43 data products are designed to promote the continuity of NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF/Albedo data product suite. The VNP43 algorithm uses the RossThick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal (RTLSR) semi-empirical kernel-driven BRDF model, with the three kernel weights from VNP43MA1 to reconstruct surface anisotropic effects, correcting the directional reflectance to a common view geometry (VNP43MA4), while also computing integrated black-sky albedo (BSA) at local solar noon and white-sky albedo (WSA) (VNP43MA3). Researchers can use the BRDF model parameters with a simple polynomial, to obtain black-sky albedo at any solar illumination angle. Likewise, both the BSA and WSA Science Dataset (SDS) variables can be used with a simple polynomial, to manually estimate instantaneous actual albedo (blue-sky albedo). Additional details regarding the methodology are available in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD). The VNP43MA4 product includes 18 SDS variables for BRDF/Albedo mandatory quality and nadir reflectance for VIIRS nine moderate bands M1-M5, M7-M8, and M10-M11. A low-resolution browse image is also available showing NBAR bands M5, M7, and M5 as an RGB image in JPEG format. Known Issues * For complete information about known issues please refer to the MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website.

The delivery of all Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) VIIRS science data products will cease on November 2, 2026 (2026/306). Data users are encouraged to transition to the equivalent VJ243MA3 (primary) or VJ143MA3 (secondary) data products. The NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo (VNP43MA3) Version 2 product provides albedo values at 1 kilometer (km) resolution for the bihemispherical reflectance white-sky albedo (WSA) and directional hemispherical reflectance black-sky albedo (BSA) at local solar noon. The VNP43MA3 product is produced daily using 16 days of VIIRS data and is weighted temporally to the ninth day, which is reflected in the file name. The VNP43 data products are designed to promote the continuity of NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF/Albedo data product suite. The VNP43 algorithm uses the RossThick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal (RTLSR) semi-empirical kernel-driven BRDF model, with the three kernel weights from VNP43MA1 to reconstruct surface anisotropic effects, correcting the directional reflectance to a common view geometry (VNP43MA4), while also computing integrated black-sky albedo (BSA) at local solar noon and white-sky albedo (WSA) (VNP43MA3). Researchers can use the BRDF model parameters with a simple polynomial, to obtain black-sky albedo at any solar illumination angle. Likewise, both the BSA and WSA Science Dataset (SDS) variables can be used with a simple polynomial, to manually estimate instantaneous actual albedo (blue-sky albedo). Additional details regarding the methodology are available in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD). The VNP43MA3 product provides a total of 36 SDS variables including: BSA; WSA; and mandatory quality layers for nine VIIRS moderate bands M1-M5, M7-M8, and M10-M11; as well as near-infrared (NIR); shortwave; and visible broadbands. A low-resolution image is also available showing retrievals of WSA for band M1 in JPEG format. Known Issues * For complete information about known issues please refer to the MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website.