MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Albedo Daily L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V006

The MCD43C3 Version 6 data product was decommissioned on July 31, 2023. Users are encouraged to use the [MCD43C3 Version 6.1](https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD43C3.061) data product. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) MCD43C3 Version 6 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. Users are urged to use the band specific quality flags to isolate the highest quality full inversion results for their own science applications as described in the User Guide. 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. Known Issues * The incorrect representation of the aerosol quantities (low average high) [in the C6 MYD09 and MOD09 surface reflectance products](https://landweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/displayissue?id=86) may have impacted downstream products particularly over arid bright surfaces. This (and a few other issues) have been corrected for C6.1. Therefore users should avoid substantive use of the C6 MCD43 products and wait for the C6.1 products. In any event, users are always strongly encouraged to download and use the extensive QA data provided in MCD43A2, in addition to the briefer mandatory QAs provided as part of the MCD43A1, 3, and 4 products. * [Corrections](https://landweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/data/userguide/LSRHighAerosolFlagFinal.pdf) were implemented in Collection 6.1 reprocessing. * For complete information about the MCD43C3 known issues refer to the [MODIS Land Quality Assessment website](https://landweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/knownissue?sensor=MODIS&as=6). Improvements/Changes from Previous Version * Observations are weighted to estimate the BRDF/Albedo on the ninth day of the 16-day period. * MCD43 products use the snow status weighted to the ninth day instead of the majority snow/no-snow observations from the 16-day period. * Better quality at high latitudes from use of all available observations for the acquisition period. Collection 5 used only four observations per day. * The MCD43 products use L2G-lite surface reflectance as input. * When there are insufficient high quality reflectances, a database with archetypal BRDF parameters is used to supplement the observational data and perform a lower quality magnitude inversion. This database is continually updated with the latest full inversion retrieval for each pixel. * CMG Albedo is estimated using all the clear-sky observations within the 1,000 m grid for MCD43C as opposed to aggregating from the 500 m albedo.

Tags: earth-science-surface-radiative-properties-land-surface-albedo, earth-science-surface-radiative-properties-land-surface-anisotropy
Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration