- Dataset Availability
- 2000-02-24T00:00:00Z–2025-08-25T00:00:00Z
- Dataset Provider
- NASA LP DAAC at the USGS EROS Center
- Cadence
- 1 Day
- Tags
Description
The MCD43C3 Version 6.1 Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function and Albedo (BRDF/Albedo) Albedo dataset is produced daily using 16 days of Terra and Aqua MODIS data in a 0.05 degree (5,600 meters at the equator) Climate Modeling Grid (CMG). Data are temporally weighted to the ninth day of the retrieval period which is reflected in the Julian date in the file name. This CMG product covers the entire globe for use in climate simulation models.
MCD43C3 provides black-sky albedo (directional hemispherical reflectance) and white-sky albedo (bihemispherical reflectance) at local solar noon. Black-sky albedo and white-sky albedo values are available as a separate layer for MODIS spectral bands 1 through 7 as well as the visible, near infrared (NIR), and shortwave bands. Along with the 20 albedo layers are ancillary layers for quality, local solar noon, percent finer resolution inputs, snow cover, and uncertainty.
See dataset user guide for more information.
Bands
Pixel Size 5600 meters
Bands
Albedo_BSA_Band1
Black-sky albedo for band 1
Albedo_BSA_Band2
Black-sky albedo for band 2
Albedo_BSA_Band3
Black-sky albedo for band 3
Albedo_BSA_Band4
Black-sky albedo for band 4
Albedo_BSA_Band5
Black-sky albedo for band 5
Albedo_BSA_Band6
Black-sky albedo for band 6
Albedo_BSA_Band7
Black-sky albedo for band 7
Albedo_BSA_vis
Black-sky albedo for visible brodband
Albedo_BSA_nir
Black-sky albedo for NIR broadband
Albedo_BSA_shortwave
Black-sky albedo for shortwave broadband
Albedo_WSA_Band1
White-sky albedo for band 1
Albedo_WSA_Band2
White-sky albedo for band 2
Albedo_WSA_Band3
White-sky albedo for band 3
Albedo_WSA_Band4
White-sky albedo for band 4
Albedo_WSA_Band5
White-sky albedo for band 5
Albedo_WSA_Band6
White-sky albedo for band 6
Albedo_WSA_Band7
White-sky albedo for band 7
Albedo_WSA_vis
White-sky albedo for visible broadband
Albedo_WSA_nir
White-sky albedo for NIR broadband
Albedo_WSA_shortwave
White-sky albedo for shortwave broadband
BRDF_Quality
Global albedo quality
Local_Solar_Noon
Local solar noon zenith angle
Percent_Inputs
Percent of the processed finer resolution data which contributed to this CMG pixel
Percent_Snow
Percent of underlying data flagged as snow
BRDF_Albedo_Uncertainty
BRDF inversion information. Weights of determination (WoD) of the white sky albedo (see Lucht, W., & Lewis, P. (2000). Theoretical noise sensitivity of BRDF and albedo retrieval from the EOS-MODIS and MISR sensors with respect to angular sampling. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 21(1), 81-98). WoDs give a measure of the uncertainty due to the angular sampling of the inputs available for each retrieval.
Terms of Use
Terms of Use
MODIS data and products acquired through the LP DAAC have no restrictions on subsequent use, sale, or redistribution.
Citations
-
Please visit LP DAAC 'Citing Our Data' page for information on citing LP DAAC datasets.
DOIs
Explore with Earth Engine
Code Editor (JavaScript)
var dataset = ee . ImageCollection ( 'MODIS/061/MCD43C3' ) . filter ( ee . Filter . date ( '2018-01-01' , '2018-05-01' )); var blackSkyAlbedo = dataset . select ( 'Albedo_BSA_Band1' ); var blackSkyAlbedoVis = { min : 0.0 , max : 400.0 , }; Map . setCenter ( 6.746 , 46.529 , 6 ); Map . addLayer ( blackSkyAlbedo , blackSkyAlbedoVis , 'Black-Sky Albedo' );
