Images Dated 17th August 2009

India at night, satellite image

India at night, satellite view. This image is a composite showing the change in illumination over India from 1992-2003. Satellite data from 2003 is coloured red, 1998 is coloured green and 1992 is blue. The three data sets are composited to form the image. Nighttime lights on the map that are white are lights that were present throughout the entire period. Areas that are marked by red have only appeared in 2003. Areas coloured green and blue were only present in 1998 and 1992 respectively but are no longer visible. This image was created by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, USA.
*** THIS PICTURE MAY NOT BE USED TO STATE OR IMPLY NOAA ENDORSEMENT OF ANY COMPANY OR PRODUCT ***

© NOAA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Palm Islands construction, Dubai

Luxury island construction, Dubai. Ikonos satellite image of an artificial palm tree-shaped island created in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai. This is the Jumeirah Palm resort. It is one of two artificial islands (the Palm Islands). The project started in May 2002; this image was taken on 9 June 2004. 200 million cubic metres of sand have been used to create 120 kilometres of shoreline for over 60 hotels, 5000 luxury villas and apartments, marinas, dive sites, restaurants and shopping malls. Construction on the Jumeirah Palm is expected to be completed by early 2006. Dubai is in the United Arab Emirates

© GEOEYE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Africa, night-day satellite image

Africa, night-day satellite image. This composite image of the Earth is set against a background of stars, and is centred on the continent of Africa. North is at top. The left-hand half of the globe is at night, and city lights (yellow) show areas of dense population. The right-hand half of the globe is lit by sunlight and shows clouds (white), seas and oceans (blue), and land cover: vegetation (green) and arid areas (brown). This day-night line is the dawn terminator. This image, from 2001, combines data from a variety of satellite sensors (AVHRR, SeaWiFS, MODIS) for the sunlit areas. The night-time data is from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). For the separate images, see E074/080 and E050/678

© NASA/NOAA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY