This dataset contains a high quality operational Environmental Data Record (EDR) of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and particle size from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument onboard the Suomi-NPP satellite and is produced by the NOAA Satellite and Information Service (NESDIS). The retrieval algorithm is based on a legacy product originally developed for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor but is adapted and improved upon for use by VIIRS. The AOD product consists of vertically-integrated total column extinction at mid-visible 0.55 micron and for a range of wavelengths from 0.412 to 2.25 micron. The spatial resolution is 750 meters at nadir. The temporal resolution provides global coverage daily except under cloudy or unfavorable conditions. VIIRS AOD data distributed by the NESDIS Data Exploitation system (NDE) that are obtained from the Comprehensive Large-Array Stewardship System (CLASS) are distributed in single 86-second granules in NetCDF-4 format with metadata attributes included. It is important to note that the Aerosol Particle Size Parameter (APSP) is included in this EDR only over ocean and is reported as Ångström exponent.