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Description
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 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.
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.
The following changes and improvements were implemented for inputs to MODIS Version 6.1 BRDF/Albedo Model Parameters data products: (1) Version 6.1 Level-1B (L1B) products have been improved by undergoing various calibration changes that include: changes to the response-versus-scan angle (RVS) approach that affects reflectance bands for Aqua and Terra MODIS, corrections to adjust for the optical crosstalk in Terra MODIS infrared (IR) bands, and corrections to the Terra MODIS forward look-up table (LUT) update for the period 2012 – 2017, and (2) A polarization correction has been applied to the L1B Reflective Solar Bands (RSB).
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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Schaaf, C., & Wang, Z. (2021). MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Albedo Daily L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V061 [Dataset]. NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD43C3.061 Date Accessed: 2026-08-11
@misc{schaaf_wang_2021,
title={MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Albedo Daily L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V061},
url={https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/data/catalog/lpcloud-mcd43c3-061},
DOI={10.5067/MODIS/MCD43C3.061},
publisher={NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center},
author={Schaaf, Crystal and Wang, Zhuosen},
year={2021},
}
Schaaf, C., & Wang, Z. (2021). MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Albedo Daily L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V061 [Dataset]. NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD43C3.061 Date Accessed: 2026-08-11
Schaaf, Crystal, and Zhuosen Wang. “MODIS/Terra+Aqua BRDF/Albedo Albedo Daily L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V061.” NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center, 2021, https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD43C3.061. Date Accessed: 2026-08-11
File Naming Convention
MCD43C3.A2025211.061.2025220080926.hdf
The file name begins with the Product Short Name (MCD43C3) followed by the Julian Date of Acquisition formatted as AYYYYDDD (A2025211), the Version of the data collection (061), the Julian Date and Time of Production designated as YYYYDDDHHMMSS (2025220080926), 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.