NASA'S Black Marble: Stories from the Night Sky

Narration: Emme Watkins

Transcript:

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Have you ever seen what Earth looks like from space at night?

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It's one of the most stunning sights,

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and it tells us way more than you would think.

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NASA and NOAA have instruments in space like VIIRS

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that can detect Earth's nightlights.

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Those glowing patches aren't just pretty.

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They're signals of human activity.

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And they're full of stories.

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Take the 2017 Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

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when entire areas went dark.

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Seeing these changes in nighttime lights

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helped responders pinpoint where aid was needed most.

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Out at sea?

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Those tiny dots?

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Fishing boats!

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Satellites can track their movements,

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helping governments monitor ocean activity and fishing regulations.

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And here's the space twist:

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nighttime observations can help us better track space weather.

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That means better aurora forecasts

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and better plans for impacts to technology from solar storms.

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From fishing activity to the northern lights.

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These glowing images reveal a planet that is constantly in motion.

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And thanks to satellites, we're learning more every night.