The GDAL - Geospatial Data Abstraction Library library was used for the conversion of the projection of map images. Geocoding is supported by Nominatim via ol3-geocoder. This uses imagery from OpenStreetMap, Thunderforest, Bing Maps, and Mapquest. The 3D map was created using Cesium via OpenLayers and ol-cesium, with extensions from ol-ext. "The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth".įurther information can be obtained from the Earth Observatory article Bright Lights, Big City, and NASA's Visible Earth website. These have been obtained from the Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center. The detailed images of the cities were taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Roadmap and day satellite images, obtained from different sources, are also available for reference. While the original image consisted of 87.970 images, the map from 2012 comprises 349.525 images, therefore adding a grand total of 437.495 images for this map. The original image from 2000 was created by NASA using data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)'s Operational Linescan System (OLS), originally designed to view clouds by moonlight.This satellite uses the “day-night band” of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared and uses filtering techniques to observe dim signals such as gas flares, auroras, wildfires, city lights, and reflected moonlight. It took over nine days in April 2012 and thirteen days in October 2012, during 312 orbits at 824 kilometers (512 miles) to capture the whole Earth. The main image of the Earth at night (2012) was captured by NASA using the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite. Two versions of the images are available: It presents a captivating view of Earth's light pollution and serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between human activity, population distribution, and the natural environment. In addition to its informational value, the Night Earth map is aesthetically pleasing, allowing us to appreciate the planet's beauty from a unique perspective. Similarly, the interior jungles of Africa and South America, deserts in various parts of the world, and the remote boreal forests of Canada and Russia all exhibit limited illumination, reflecting the challenges faced by people in these regions when it comes to accessing electricity and infrastructure. Antarctica emerges as a completely dark expanse, reminding us of its isolation and otherworldly beauty. Moreover, the Night Earth map uncovers the vast expanses of our planet that remain thinly populated and unlit. The map visually portrays this phenomenon, offering insights into the patterns of human settlement and development. While certain regions may appear to be the brightest, they may not necessarily be the most heavily populated. One of the map's notable features is its ability to highlight the differences between brightness and population density. It showcases the stark contrasts in urbanization and population density around the world, demonstrating how cities tend to concentrate along coastlines and transportation networks. By providing a visual representation of the Earth's surface at night, the map reveals the areas that are brightly lit and urbanized, as well as those that remain unlit and remote. The Night Earth map is a fascinating tool that allows us to explore and understand the impact of light pollution on our planet.
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