Earth  ID: 12573

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

Released on April 12, 2017
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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.
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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.
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At night, lights on the Nile River matchup with fertile, green lands visible in this Landsat 8 image.
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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.
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The ocean is dotted with fishing fleets, including boats that try to attract their catch with bright lights.

Credits

Kathryn Mersmann (USRA): Producer
Joshua Stevens (SSAI): Producer
Mike Carlowicz (SSAI): Lead Writer
Kate Ramsayer (Telophase): Writer
Miguel Román (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12573

This item is part of this series:
Narrated Movies

Keywords:
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Night lights
SVS >> World Map >> Night
SVS >> VIIRS
NASA Science >> Earth
SVS >> Suomi