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
Reflectance Data Access and Tools
From discovery to visualization, data tools such as Worldview, Earthdata Search, and Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) guide users in making the most of reflectance data.
Reflectance Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platform | Instrument | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOREAS RSS-19 1994 Seasonal Understory Reflectance Data | 1 | FIELD INVESTIGATION | SPECTRORADIOMETERS | 1994-02-06 to 1994-09-16 |
N: 55.93 S: 53.8 E: -98.29 W: -105.12 |
ASCII | |
| BOREAS RSS-19 1996 CASI At-Sensor Radiance and Reflectance Images | 1 | PIPER NAVAJO CHIEFTAIN | CASI | 1996-07-18 to 1996-07-30 |
N: 56.25 S: 53.42 E: -97.24 W: -106.32 |
multiple | |
| BOREAS RSS-20 POLDER C-130 Measurements of Surface BRDF | 1 | C-130 | POLDER | 1994-05-24 to 1994-07-24 |
N: 53.99 S: 53.63 E: -104.62 W: -106.2 |
ASCII | |
| BOREAS RSS-20 POLDER Helicopter-Mounted Measurements of Surface BRDF | 1 | HELICOPTER | POLDER | 1994-06-07 to 1994-09-17 |
N: 55.9 S: 53.9 E: -98.29 W: -104.64 |
ASCII | |
| BOREAS RSS-20 POLDER Radiance Images from the NASA C-130 | 1 | C-130 | POLDER | 1994-05-26 to 1994-07-24 |
N: 53.99 S: 53.8 E: -104.62 W: -106.2 |
Binary | |
| BOREAS TE-09 in situ Understory Spectral Reflectance within the NSA | 1 | FIELD INVESTIGATION | SPECTROMETERS | 1994-06-13 to 1994-07-31 |
N: 56 S: 55.9 E: -97.34 W: -98.62 |
ASCII | |
| BOREAS TE-18, 60-m, Radiometrically Rectified Landsat TM Imagery | 1 | LANDSAT-5 | TM | 1984-06-22 to 1994-09-18 |
N: 56.25 S: 53.42 E: -97.23 W: -106.32 |
multiple | |
| BOREAS TE-18 Geosail Canopy Reflectance Model | 1 | NOT APPLICABLE | NOT APPLICABLE | 1993-01-01 to 1996-12-31 |
N: 62 S: 48 E: -92 W: -111 |
ASCII | |
| BOREAS TF-06 SSA-YA Surface Energy Flux and Meteorological Data | 1 | FIXED OBSERVATION STATIONS | NET RADIOMETERS, PYRANOMETERS, RAIN GAUGES, SOIL HEAT FLUX TRANSDUCER, SONIC ANEMOMETER, TEMPERATURE SENSORS, THERMOCOUPLES, WIND MONITOR, HYGROMETERS, HUMIDITY SENSORS, BAROMETERS | 1994-07-19 to 1994-09-19 |
N: 53.66 S: 53.66 E: -105.32 W: -105.32 |
ASCII | |
| BOREAS TF-09 SSA-OBS Tower Flux, Meteorological, and Soil Temperature Data | 1 | FIXED OBSERVATION STATIONS | SOIL HEAT FLUX TRANSDUCER, IR CO2 ANALYZER, LICOR QUANTUM SENSOR, WIND MONITOR, RAIN GAUGES, TEMPERATURE PROBES, PYRANOMETERS, PSYCHROMETERS, NET RADIOMETERS, EDDY CORRELATION DEVICES | 1994-05-23 to 1996-11-29 |
N: 53.99 S: 53.99 E: -105.12 W: -105.12 |
ASCII | |
| BOREAS TF-10 NSA-YJP Tower Flux, Meteorological, and Porometry Data | 1 | FIXED OBSERVATION STATIONS | IRGA, LICOR QUANTUM SENSOR, ANEMOMETERS, THERMOCOUPLES, RAIN GAUGES, HYGROMETERS, SOIL HEAT FLUX TRANSDUCER, PYRANOMETERS, Pyrgeometer, LICOR PLANT CANOPY ANALYZER, NET RADIOMETERS, EDDY CORRELATION DEVICES, POROMETER, PRESSURE SENSORS | 1993-08-15 to 1996-11-15 |
N: 55.9 S: 55.9 E: -98.29 W: -98.29 |
ASCII | |
| BOREAS TF-11 SSA-FEN Tower Flux and Meteorological Data | 1 | FIXED OBSERVATION STATIONS, LABORATORY | EDDY CORRELATION DEVICES, HUMIDITY SENSORS, IRGA, NET RADIOMETERS, PYRANOMETERS, LICOR QUANTUM SENSOR, SOIL HEAT FLUX TRANSDUCER, WATER LEVEL GAUGES, ANEROID PRESSURE SENSOR, ANEMOMETERS, TUNABLE DIODE LASER | 1993-08-23 to 1995-10-09 |
N: 53.8 S: 53.8 E: -104.62 W: -104.62 |
ASCII | |
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B 1 km Native Science data, Standard V4-00 | V4-00 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2006-06-12 to 2020-04-10 | HDF4 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B 1 km Native Science data, Validated Stage 1 V3-01 | V3-01 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2006-06-12 to 2011-11-01 | NetCDF, HDF4 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B 1 km Native Science data, Validated Stage 1 V3-02 | V3-02 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2011-11-01 to 2020-04-10 | HDF4 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B 1 km Registered Science data, Validated Stage 1 V3-01 | V3-01 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2006-06-13 to 2011-11-01 | HDF | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B 1 km Registered Science data, Validated Stage 1 V3-02 | V3-02 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2011-11-01 to 2020-04-10 | NetCDF, HDF4 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B 125m Native Science data, Standard V4-00 | V4-00 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2006-06-12 to 2020-04-10 | HDF4 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B 125m Native Science data, Validated Stage 1 V3-01 | V3-01 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2006-06-13 to 2011-11-01 | HDF4 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B 125m Native Science data, Validated Stage 1 V3-02 | V3-02 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2011-11-01 to 2020-04-10 | HDF4, NetCDF-3 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B Assembler data, V4-00 | V4-00 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2006-06-12 to 2020-04-10 | HDF4 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B Calibration data, V4-00 | V4-00 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2006-06-12 to 2020-04-10 | HDF4 | ||
| CALIPSO Wide Field Camera Level 1B Science data, Standard V4-00 | V4-00 | CALIPSO | WFC | 2006-06-12 to 2020-04-10 | HDF4 | ||
| CAR ARCTAS Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites L1 V1 (CAR_ARCTAS_L1C) at GES DISC | 1 | NASA P-3 | CAR | 2008-04-06 to 2008-07-12 |
N: 80.6613 S: 32.93152 E: -69.2484 W: -163.5979 |
||
| CAR ARCTAS BRDF Measurements V2 (CAR_ARCTAS_BRDF) at GES DISC | 2 | NASA P-3 | CAR | 2008-04-06 to 2008-07-10 |
N: 80.6429 S: 33.2106 E: -75.2635 W: -156.458 |
Featured Reflectance Observation Method: MODIS
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is a key instrument aboard the Terra and Aqua platforms. Terra and Aqua survey Earth's surface every one to two days, acquiring data in 36 spectral bands. The MODIS surface reflectance products provide an estimate of the surface spectral reflectance as it would be measured at ground level in the absence of atmospheric scattering or absorption.
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.
Scientists develop routine service for wildfire detection in the continental United States with a latency of less than 60 seconds.
6 MIN READ
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).
Our experts break down the similarities and differences of Earth observation sensors operated by NASA.
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