Night lights illustrate dramatically the relative economic activity of cities and countries.
Published Feb 24, 2014An astronaut snapped this image of lines of gas flares at an oilfield in southern Iraq at night.
Published Feb 22, 2014Satellite views of night lights help reveal the strings of roads, rails, and rivers than connect the citizens of the United States.
Published Nov 26, 2013Early in the morning on July 6, 2013, a train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.
Published Jul 10, 2013Several Arizona cities and suburbs merge in a distinctive Western U.S. grid pattern.
Published Apr 1, 2013A combination of winds, currents, storms, and young ice came together to produce a wave of fractures in Arctic sea ice off the coast of northern Alaska.
Published Mar 29, 2013Acquired in the early morning of February 23, 2013, this nighttime image shows snow cover spanning multiple states in the wake of a major snowstorm.
Published Feb 26, 2013In February 2013, a winter storm brought more than a foot of snow to many towns and cities across the central United States.
Published Feb 22, 2013Numerous hot spots from the Mustang Complex Fire are visible in northern Idaho. A plume of thick, billowing smoke streams west from the brightest fires near the Idaho-Montana border.
Published Feb 19, 2013“The biggest little city in the world” is nestled like a jewel amidst the mountains.
Published Feb 11, 2013The Suomi NPP VIIRS “day-night band” makes it possible to view low clouds even at night—something earlier satellites have had difficulty doing.
Published Jan 22, 2013Image of the Day Atmosphere Fires Unique Imagery Human Presence
This city in Belgium is a hub of economic activity and tourism.
Published Jan 14, 2013During a thunderstorm over Texas, atmospheric ripples were visible in the faint emissions of light of the upper atmosphere.
Published Jan 10, 2013Image of the Day Atmosphere Fires Unique Imagery Remote Sensing
These satellite images illustrate the effects of moonlight on viewing this desert region.
Published Jan 2, 2013Image of the Day Fires Unique Imagery Human Presence Remote Sensing
The “southern lights” were bright enough to illuminate the ice below.
Published Jan 1, 2013Image of the Day Atmosphere Fires Unique Imagery Snow and Ice Remote Sensing
At night, the Nile River Valley and Delta resemble a giant flower in this image from October 13, 2012.
Published Dec 28, 2012Cities and people are scarce in northwestern North Dakota, but nighttime satellite imagery shows the Bakken Formation aglow with brightly-lit drilling equipment.
Published Dec 27, 2012Updated for 2012, this map of lights across America has a least 10 times better resolution than previous maps.
Published Dec 25, 2012Acquired October 30, 2012, this day-night band image offers a detailed view of clouds, snow cover, and sea ice.
Published Dec 23, 2012Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Fires Unique Imagery Snow and Ice
What are those lights in the Outback?
Published Dec 20, 2012Image of the Day Land Fires Unique Imagery Human Presence Remote Sensing
While city lights at night serve as a good proxy for population density, North Korea provides a dark exception.
Published Dec 18, 2012Image of the Day Land Water Fires Unique Imagery Human Presence
New images from Suomi NPP are an order of magnitude better than previous satellite views of city lights.
Published Dec 14, 2012Image of the Day Land Fires Unique Imagery Human Presence Remote Sensing
Night life takes on a new meaning when viewed from space.
Published Dec 9, 2012Image of the Day Land Fires Unique Imagery Human Presence Remote Sensing
This animated globe shows the city lights of the world as they appeared to the new Suomi NPP satellite, which has at least 10 times better light-resolving power than previous night-viewing satellites.
Published Dec 6, 2012Image of the Day Land Water Fires Unique Imagery Human Presence Remote Sensing
A sensitive new sensor allows a clearer view of dim night lights on Earth.
Published Nov 28, 2012A sensitive new sensor allows a clearer view of dim night lights on Earth.
Published Nov 28, 2012The Suomi NPP satellite has a potent new sensor for distinguishing Earth’s night lights.
Published Nov 28, 2012The lights of cities and villages trace the outlines of civilization in this global view.
Published Nov 27, 2012Here’s what India looked like to the Suomi NPP satellite during Diwali.
Published Nov 15, 2012In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, densely populated areas of the U.S. East Coast sat in the dark.
Published Nov 2, 2012