City Lights From International Space Station (2002-2008)

NASA Astronaut Don Pettit assembled a sequence of several of the most striking images of city lights at night taken by several astronauts on board the International Space Station between 2002 and 2008 into an animated "world tour" of cities at night. Resolutions approach an estimated 10 meters/pixel in the sharpest images. This video, produced entirely by Pettit, takes you on a quick trip comparing cities from different regions, all viewed from the International Space Station.

For more information and links: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oce/appel/ask/issues/38/38s_cities.html

credit: Don Pettit (production); Don Pettit and others (photography)

source: http://ngdc.noaa.gov/dmsp/nightsat.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• city lights
• cities from space
• international space station
• ISS
• earth from space

[FischerAudrey]

Severing human's connection and view of the stars may very well be one of the most needless, short-sided, unintentional consequence of humanity's cities at night. We may, in fact, be the last generation to witness starlight. National Park Service study predicts that by 2025 <10% of people will ever in their LIFEtime experience a starry night sky. Recover the magnificence of the starry night to once again inspire & nurture the hearts & souls of all children of this planet. Stop Light Pollution.

[djxatlanta]

@FischerAudrey - I was fortunate enough to grow up in semi-rural areas of Michigan in the 1970s and 1980s and routinely experienced dark to pristine skies throughout my formative years. Most people don't realize what they're missing.

[Cccuba]

Sydney?

No Sydney?

[djxatlanta]

@Cccuba - Feel free to look up Sydney on eol [dot] jsc [dot] nasa [dot] gov -- I found four nighttime shots of Sydney within 2 minutes. And there are likely plenty more that are unlabeled.

[thoth81]

@demandspacetourism I'm looking forward to viable orbital manufacturing bringing down the cost as much could be constructed in situ, with people and various supplies for life support probably being the main payloads still being launched from the surface.

[tecknikosMTL]

wow for a little island MONTREAL has alot of lighting lol ps im from montreal lol

[IKWYNWIN]

А где Москва, Берлин, Париж? 4:39, 5:15, 6:31, 7:54! etc are "most striking images"?

[debbiemaude]

There are no words, except that I would LOVE to be up there with them taking those pictures.

Absolutely beautiful!

[StressedYeti]

@FischerAudrey Lol. I know, right?

But they have Bend, OR (which is where I live)

[mornnb]

@djxatlanta @Cccuba The only one of Sydney at night they have, has severe cloud cover. Which is a shame as, it's vast sprawl towards the west and density on the harbour in the east should look great.

[apbound25ave]

Miami looks the best

[demandspacetourism]

Thanks Don. We need to expand our species economy into orbital space so that the rest of us can enjoy the benefits of being part of an intelligent technologically advanced species. We need the "industrialisation of space technology", geared to "building in space" so that within one generation ordinary people, and not just billionaire bankers and corporate CEOs can enjoy such experiences. space tourism is the first step towards space civilisation. This is how to save the Western economies.