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    • Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Global Area Coverage (VGAC), Version 1

    Metadata Updated: December 12, 2025

    The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument represents a significant change from the historical weather satellite observations. For example, there are several differences in observation style, channel, structure, etc. from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) which flew on low earth orbit satellites since the 1970s. Several longstanding climate data records were developed expressly using the AVHRR instrument. The VIIRS Global Area Coverage (VGAC) dataset is an attempt to more closely bridge the old technology with the new. The VGAC data file provides one orbit of VIIRS observations (22 channels: 14 Reflective Solar Bands; 7 Thermal Emissive Bands and 1 Day/Night Band) that have been degraded in resolution to approximate the AVHRR GAC resolution. Each channel is provided using the same swath that simulates a 3.9 km resolution scan. The moderate resolution VIIRS channels each have the mean value of the radiance in that 3.9 km region. Some of the higher resolution imaging channels (I channels) contain more statistical information, including maximum and minimum radiances, which benefit algorithms like cloud and surface retrievals.

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

    Downloads & Resources

    Dates

    Metadata Date October 16, 2023
    Metadata Created Date December 12, 2025
    Metadata Updated Date December 12, 2025
    Reference Date(s) January 1, 2024 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from ncdc

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    Suomi NPP VGAC (M15)

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date October 16, 2023
    Metadata Created Date December 12, 2025
    Metadata Updated Date December 12, 2025
    Reference Date(s) January 1, 2024 (publication)
    Responsible Party NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.ncdc:C01703
    Access Constraints Cite as: Knapp, Kenneth R; Adams, Brooke; Semunegus, Hilawe; Cao, Changyong; Shao, Xi; NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (2024). Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Global Area Coverage (VGAC), Version 1. [indicate subset used]. https://doi.org/10.25921/gsef-pg81 [access date]., Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
    Bbox East Long 180.0
    Bbox North Lat 90.0
    Bbox South Lat -90.0
    Bbox West Long -180.0
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded
    Graphic Preview Description Suomi NPP VGAC (M15)
    Graphic Preview File https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/images/C01703.jpg
    Graphic Preview Type JPEG
    Harvest Object Id ff716b70-4987-4c54-a0b7-1086040b97ad
    Harvest Source Id 2cb3ef77-1683-4c2a-9119-dc65e50917c6
    Harvest Source Title ncdc
    Licence
    Lineage The VGAC data are resampled from VIIRS sensor data records (SDRs) onto 3.9 km resolution grids. One data file per orbit.
    Metadata Language eng; USA
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-180.0, -90.0], [180.0, -90.0], [180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, -90.0]]]}
    Progress onGoing
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2012-01-02

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