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EDG Data Set Name Granule Shortname
MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Model-1 16-Day L3 Global 1km SIN Grid MCD43B1

Version Acquisition Range Science Quality Status
V004 July 4 2002 (2002185) Validated

Data Set Characteristics
Area = ~10° X 10° latitude/longitude
Image Dimensions  = 4 (1200 x 1200 X 10 X 3 row/column/band/parameter)
Average File Size = ~112 MB
Resolution = 1 kilometer
Projection = Sinusoidal
Data Format = HDF-EOS
Science Data Sets (SDSs) = 4

Product Description
MCD43B1 contains four dimensional data sets of Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo parameters: x, y, and parameter values are stored for each wavelength band of data. Note in the table below that the "BRDF Albedo Parameters Dimensions" cell reflects the use of all 7 MODIS Land Bands (459-2155 nm) in addition to 3 broad bands compiled from 300-700 nm, 700-5000 nm, and 300-5000 nm. This 4D combination provides users with spatial orientation as well as the weighting parameters associated with the models best describing the differences in radiation due to scattering (anisotropy) of each pixel. MODLAND's Level 3 BRDF/Albedo products (MCD43Bs) are provided globally as discrete 1200 by 1200 element tiles in a Sinusoidal Grid projection in a HDF-EOS format. MCD43B1 provides the primary BRDF model parameters. MCD43B3 provides the black-sky albedo (at the mean solar zenith angle at local solar noon) and the white-sky albedo. MCD43B4 provides two NBAR values, one at the mean solar zenith angle of Terra overpasses during the 16-day period and the other at the mean solar zenith angle of the Aqua overpasses. Quality information is replicated and available with each quantity.

Every 16 days, the MODIS BRDF/Albedo Product (MCD43B) algorithm relies on multidate, atmospherically corrected, cloud-cleared data and a semiempirical kernel-driven bidirectional reflectance model to determine a global set of parameters describing the BRDF of the land surface. These one kilometer gridded parameters are then used to determine directional hemispherical reflectance ("black-sky albedo"), bihemispherical reflectance ("white-sky albedo"), and nadir BRDF-adjusted reflectance (NBAR) for seven spectral bands and (in the case of albedo) three broad bands. Since the parameters of the simple kernel-based BRDF model (RossThickLiSparseR) are also provided, along with extensive quality information, the MODIS BRDF/Albedo Product offers members of the global remote sensing and modeling community the additional flexibility to derive reflectance and albedo measures particularly suited to their specific applications.

MCD products are generated using a combination of Terra and Aqua acquisitions to optimize data quality.

NOTE: These products are validated, meaning that product uncertainties are well defined over a range of representative conditions. Although there may be later improved versions, these data are ready for use in scientific publications.

SDS Units Data Type-bit Fill Value Valid Range Multiply by
Scale Factor
Additional Offset Dimensions
BRDF Albedo Parameters Reflectance 16-bit signed integer 32767 0 - 32766 0.001 na 1D X-Dim
2D Y-Dim
3D#Land Bands+3
4D #Parameters
BRDF Shape Indicators Ratio or coefficient 8-bit unsigned integer 255 0 - 254 0.040 25.0 1D X-Dim
2D Y-Dim
3D # Shape Fields
*BRDF Quality Concatenated flags 32-bit unsigned integer 4294967295 0 - 4294967295 na na 1D X-Dim
2D Y-Dim
3D # QC Words
BRDF Type Model or Type number 8-bit unsigned integer 255 0 - 254 na na 1D X-Dim
2D Y-Dim
3D # Type Fields

*MODIS BRDF/Albedo QA Science Data Sets

View a Version Formatted for Printing

Retrieve the MCD43B1v4 MODIS product through the LP DAAC Data Pool
Via Search Tool: http://e4eil01u.ecs.nasa.gov:22000/WebAccess/drill?attrib=esdt&esdt=MCD43B1.4&group=MOTA
Via FTP Directory: ftp://e4ftl01u.ecs.nasa.gov/MOTA/MCD43B1.004/

New! Order These Data through the EOS Data Gateway
MODIS/TERRA+AQUA BRDF/ALBEDO MODEL-1 16-DAY L3 GLOBAL 1KM SIN GRID V004

EOS Data Gateway Search Tips
Source: Terra or Aqua
Sensor: MODIS
Dataset: MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Model-1 16-Day L3 Global 1km SIN Grid
Spatial: HORIZONTALTILENUMBER Max/Min VERTICALTILENUMBER Max/Min
Geographic Extent:  Type Lat/Long Range or Draw on Map
Temporal Extent: 2002-07-04 to present

Product Information
Product Description
(http://landval.gsfc.nasa.gov/MODLAND/brdf.htm)
User Guide
(http://www-modis.bu.edu/brdf/userguide/index.html)
Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD)
(http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/atbd/land_atbd.php)
MODIS Standard Data Products Catalog
(http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/dataprod/index.php)
EOS Data Products Handbook Volume 2 (2000)
(http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/eos_homepage/for_scientists/data_products/vol2.php)

Contact Information
LP DAAC User Services
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