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Nighttime Lights of North America |
What this map layer shows:
Lights from cities, towns, industrial sites, gas flares, and temporary
events such as fires, as "seen" from space, in 1996 and 1997. |
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Background Information |
Sample Map
The National Environmental
Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS)
acquires and manages the Nation's operational environmental satellites,
provides data and information services, and conducts related research.
The Nighttime Lights of North America map layer was produced by the National
Atlas of the United States®, from data provided by the National
Geophysical Data Center of NESDIS as part of the Defense
Meteorological Satellite Program. The National Geophysical Data Center provides access to public
domain global environmental data from satellites and other sources to
promote, protect, and enhance the Nation's economy, security, environment,
and quality of life.
The Nighttime Lights of North America map layer is an image showing lights from
cities, towns, industrial sites, gas flares, and temporary events, such as fires.
Most of the detected features are lights from cities and towns. The map layer
was derived from cloud-free parts of images taken in 1996 and 1997, during 231
orbits by a Department of Defense satellite. This satellite has a unique ability
to detect low levels of visible radiance at night. Further information is available
through the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program page. |
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