Home > Science > Space Exploration > Planets > Earth
Europe at night, satellite image
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library
Europe at night, satellite image
Europe at night, satellite image. City lights (yellow) show areas of dense population. There are few lights in North Africa (bottom) and the Arctic (top) since they are more sparsely populated. This image was produced by combining data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and NOas POES satellites
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 1705059
© PLANETARY VISIONS LTD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Arctic 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 Night Night Time Noaa North Africa North Pole Poes Polar Orbiter Populated Population Power Region Satellite Satellite Image Satellite Program Sparsely Populated Uninhabited Urban Urban Geography Urbanisation Urbanised Urbanization Urbanized World
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Posters
> Scientific Posters
> Science Photo Library
> Aerial and Satellite
> Science Photo Library
> Top Picks
> Science
> Space Exploration
> Planets
> Earth
EDITORS COMMENTS
Europe at Night: A Satellite Perspective of Population Density and Urbanization in the 21st Century This stunning satellite image, captured by combining data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and NOAA POES satellites, offers a unique view of Europe at night. The yellow city lights illuminate areas of dense population, revealing the distribution of human settlement across the continent. In contrast, the dark expanses of North Africa and the Arctic regions, which are less densely populated, appear as areas of relative darkness. The image serves as a powerful reminder of the remarkable human impact on the Earth's surface. The lights of Europe's cities and towns represent energy consumption, technological advancement, and the concentration of human population. The contrast between the brightly lit urban areas and the darker rural and uninhabited regions highlights the ongoing process of urbanization and the demographic shifts taking place in Europe and beyond. The image also raises important questions about the environmental impact of human activity, particularly the issue of light pollution. The artificial lighting of European cities not only consumes vast amounts of energy but also disrupts ecosystems and affects wildlife behavior. As Europe and other parts of the world continue to urbanize, finding ways to minimize the negative environmental consequences of artificial lighting will be essential. This satellite image is a testament to the power of earth observation and the insights it can provide into the geography, demographics, and human population distribution of our planet. It also underscores the importance of continued investment in earth science and the development of advanced satellite technologies to better understand and address the challenges of the 21st century.
MADE IN THE UK
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.
