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Africa at night, satellite image
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Africa at night, satellite image
Africa at night, satellite image. City lights (yellow) show areas of dense population, particularly in Europe and the Middle East (top). There are few lights in Africa since most of it is uninhabited desert. This image was produced by combining data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and NOas POES satellites
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Media ID 1705047
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Africa Artificial Lighting Cities City Combined Data Continent Continents Dark Darkness Defense Meteorological Demographics Demography Densely Populated Density Desert Distribution Dmsp Earth Observation Earth Science Energy Environmental Impact From Space Globe Human Geography Human Population Inhabited Light Light Pollution Lights Middle East Night Night Time Noaa Poes Polar Orbiter Populated Population Power Region Satellite Satellite Image Satellite Program Sparsely Populated Uninhabited Urban Urban Geography Urbanisation Urbanised Urbanization Urbanized World
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Africa at night, revealing a stunning satellite image of our planet's second-largest continent. The city lights, depicted in vibrant yellow hues, provide a striking visual representation of densely populated areas across Europe and the Middle East at the top of the image. However, what truly stands out is the stark contrast between these illuminated regions and vast stretches of darkness that dominate most parts of Africa. The scarcity of lights in Africa serves as a reminder that much of this expansive landmass remains uninhabited desert. This remarkable composite image was meticulously created by merging data from two satellites: the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and NOAA's POES satellites. Through advanced technology and Earth observation capabilities, we are granted an extraordinary glimpse into our world from space. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this photograph holds significant implications for understanding human geography and environmental impact. It highlights population distribution patterns on a continental scale while shedding light on issues such as urbanization, demography, and energy consumption. Moreover, it draws attention to light pollution caused by artificial lighting in densely populated areas. As we marvel at this breathtaking snapshot captured by Science Photo Library, let us contemplate both the beauty and challenges presented by our ever-evolving planet.
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