Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite

[2] VIIRS is a whiskbroom scanner radiometer[3] that collects imagery and radiometric measurements of the land, atmosphere, cryosphere, and oceans in the visible and infrared bands of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[5] VIIRS's main uses include monitoring and investigating changes and properties in surface vegetation, land cover/use, the hydrologic cycle, and the Earth's energy budget over both regional and global scales.

The combination of MODIS, AVHRR, and VIIRS data sets will allow for the assessment of how climate change has affected the Earth's surface over the past ~20 years.

VIIR's main objectives include the monitoring and investigation of changes and properties in vegetation, land cover/use, the hydrologic cycle, and the earth's energy budget over both global and regional scales.

The combination of MODIS, AVHRR, and VIIRS datasets will permit a comprehensive assessment of how climate change has effected the land surface over the past ~20 years.