Lights of Human Activity Shine in NASA's Image of Earth at Night

  • Released Wednesday, April 12, 2017
  • Updated Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 5:17PM
  • ID: 12573

Music: Everything is Possible by Magnum Opus [ASCAP]

Complete transcript available.

NASA scientists have just released the first new global map of Earth at night since 2012. This nighttime look at our home planet, dubbed the Black Marble, provides researchers with a unique perspective of human activities around the globe. By studying Earth at night, researchers can investigate how cities expand, monitor light intensity to estimate energy use and economic activity, and aid in disaster response.

What lights illuminate your neighborhood? Download a high-resolution version of the Black Marble here, and find out more about NASA’s new night lights data here.
The data on Earth at night comes from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite, jointly managed by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The data on Earth at night comes from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite, jointly managed by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

At night, lights on the Nile River matchup with fertile, green lands visible in this Landsat 8 image.

At night, lights on the Nile River matchup with fertile, green lands visible in this Landsat 8 image.

Composite images like this one filter out aerosols, moonlight and other sources of light, making it possible to detect the light of one individual building.

Composite images like this one filter out aerosols, moonlight and other sources of light, making it possible to detect the light of one individual building.

The ocean is dotted with fishing fleets, including boats that try to attract their catch with bright lights.

The ocean is dotted with fishing fleets, including boats that try to attract their catch with bright lights.

Credits

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NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

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