We are in the process of migrating all NASA Earth science data sites into Earthdata from now until end of 2026. Not all NASA Earth science data and resources will appear here until then. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition.
Read about the Web Unification Project
Albedo Data Access and Tools
NASA has snow and ice albedo datasets that help researchers measure how much frozen surfaces reflect solar radiation. Access a range of data and data tools such as AppEEARS, Worldview, and Giovanni to make the most of snow and ice albedo data.
Albedo Datasets
| Dataset | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Location Keywords | Spatial Extent | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CERES Clouds and Radiative Swath TRMM Edition2C | TRMM | CERES-PFM | 1998-01-01 to 2000-03-31 | GLOBAL, STRATOSPHERE, TROPOSPHERE | HDF4 | |
| High Mountain Asia COAWST 6-Hourly 4km Regional Climate Model Simulations V001 | MODELS | NOT APPLICABLE | 1999-10-01 to 2014-10-01 | HIMALAYAS | N: 46.34996 S: 20.96392 E: 120.8316 W: 49.1684 | netCDF-3 |
| High Mountain Asia COAWST Daily 4km Regional Climate Model Simulations V001 | MODELS | NOT APPLICABLE | 1999-10-01 to 2014-09-30 | HIMALAYAS | N: 46.34996 S: 20.96392 E: 120.8316 W: 49.1684 | netCDF-4 |
| High Mountain Asia COAWST Hourly 4km Regional Climate Model Simulations V001 | MODELS | NOT APPLICABLE | 1999-10-01 to 2014-10-01 | HIMALAYAS | N: 46.34996 S: 20.96392 E: 120.8316 W: 49.1684 | netCDF-3 |
| High Mountain Asia COAWST Monthly 4km Regional Climate Model Simulations V001 | MODELS | NOT APPLICABLE | 1999-10-01 to 2014-09-30 | HIMALAYAS | N: 46.34996 S: 20.96392 E: 120.8316 W: 49.1684 | netCDF-4 |
| High Mountain Asia UCLA Daily Snow Reanalysis V001 | LANDSAT-5, LANDSAT-7, LANDSAT-8, Terra | TM, ETM+, OLI, MODIS | 1999-10-01 to 2017-09-30 | HIMALAYAS | N: 45 S: 27 E: 105 W: 60 | netCDF-4 |
| ISLSCP II ECMWF Near-Surface Meteorology Parameters | NOT APPLICABLE | NOT APPLICABLE | 1985-01-01 to 1998-12-31 | N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 | ASCII Grid | |
| MERRA-2 tavg3_2d_glc_Nx: 2d,3-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Ice Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2T3NXGLC) at GES DISC | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present | GLOBAL | N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 | |
| MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_glc_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Ice Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXGLC) at GES DISC | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present | GLOBAL | N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 | |
| MERRA-2 tavgU_2d_glc_Nx: 2d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Ice Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNXGLC) at GES DISC | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present | GLOBAL | N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
SHOWING 10 OF 13
Featured Snow/Ice Albedo Observation Method: MODIS
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) gathers data in 36 spectral channels and can survey the entire Earth every one to two days. The instrument flies aboard NASA's Aqua and and Terra platforms. MODIS data can be used for a broad range of Earth science observations, including surveys of snow and ice cover across the planet with resolutions ranging from 250 to 1000 meters.
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will help ensure continuity of Earth observations after the upcoming retirement of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).
Image captured on 29 December 2019, by the VIIRS instrument, aboard the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite.
Join us to learn how to discover, subset, access and visualize both MODIS and VIIRS data products using a suite of user-friendly tools developed by NASA's ORNL DAAC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Earthdata Forum
Our online forum provides a space for users to browse thousands of FAQs about research needs, data, and data applications. You can also submit new questions for our experts to answer.
Submit Questions to Earthdata Forumand View Expert Responses