Maplab
Mapping Where the Lights Are Brighter, And Where They're Going Dark
In four short years, urbanization, economics, and war have changed a satellite’s view of the Earth at night.
A lot can happen in four years. To get a sense of just how much, look no further than a set of maps from NASA showing the Earth’s lights at night.
Comparing two satellite images—one from 2012, the other from 2016— it’s apparent that some areas have lit up, indicating urban development and electrification. In other places, the lights have dimmed or been extinguished altogether, which could be a sign of war, economic downturn, or a concerted effort to reduce light pollution.