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Description
The MCD43C3 Version 6 data product was decommissioned on July 31, 2023. Users are encouraged to use the MCD43C3 Version 6.1 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 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 were implemented in Collection 6.1 reprocessing.
The following changes and improvements were implemented for inputs to MODIS Version 6 BRDF/Albedo Parameter data products: (1) Observations are weighted to estimate the BRDF/Albedo on the ninth day of the 16-day period, (2) Products utilize the snow status weighted to the ninth day, (3) Enhanced quality at high latitudes achieved through the utilization of all available observations during the acquisition period, (4) Products utilize L2G-lite surface reflectance as input, (5) In instances where there are insufficient high-quality reflectances, a database containing archetypal BRDF parameters is employed to supplement the observational data and perform a lower-quality magnitude inversion, and (6) CMG Albedo is estimated utilizing all the clear-sky observations within the 1,000 m grid as opposed to aggregating from the 500 m albedo.
Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC)
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School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMASS-B/SFE)
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MODIS Adaptive Processing System, Terrestrial Information Systems Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA (NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/TISL/MODAPS)
Citation is critically important for dataset documentation and discovery. This dataset is openly shared, without restriction, in accordance with the EOSDIS Data Use and Citation Guidance.
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Citation Copied
Schaaf, C., & Wang, Z. (2015). MCD43C3 MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Albedo Daily L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V006 [Data set]. NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD43C3.006 Date Accessed: 2026-06-19
Schaaf, Crystal, and Zhuosen Wang. “MCD43C3 MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Albedo Daily L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V006.” NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center, 2015. doi:10.5067/MODIS/MCD43C3.006. Date Accessed: 2026-06-19
Schaaf, Crystal, and Zhuosen Wang. MCD43C3 MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Albedo Daily L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V006. NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center, 2015, doi:10.5067/MODIS/MCD43C3.006. Date Accessed: 2026-06-19
File Naming Convention
MCD43C3.A2002272.006.2016223173625.hdf
The file name begins with the Product Short Name (MCD43C3) followed by the Julian Date of Acquisition formatted as AYYYYDDD (A2002272), the Version of the data collection (006), the Julian Date and Time of Production designated as YYYYDDDHHMMSS (2016223173625), and the Data Format (hdf).
Zou, Xun, Rowe, Penny M., Gorodetskaya, Irina, Bromwich, David H., Lazzara, Matthew A., Cordero, Raul R., Zhang, Zhenhai, Kawzenuk, Brian, Cordeira, Jason M., Wille, Jonathan D., Ralph, F. Martin, Bai, LeSheng
Jungclaus, J. H., Lorenz, S. J., Schmidt, H., Brovkin, V., Bruggemann, N., Chegini, F., Cruger, T., DeVrese, P., Gayler, V., Giorgetta, M. A., Gutjahr, O., Haak, H., Hagemann, S., Hanke, M., Ilyina, T., Korn, P., Kroger, J., Linardakis, L., Mehlmann, C., Mikolajewicz, U., Muller, W. A., Nabel, J. E. M. S., Notz, D., Pohlmann, H., Putrasahan, D. A., Raddatz, T., Ramme, L., Redler, R., Reick, C. H., Riddick, T., Sam, T., Schneck, R., Schnur, R., Schupfner, M., von Storch, J.S., Wachsmann, F., Wieners, K.H., Ziemen, F., Stevens, B., Marotzke, J., Claussen, M.