Our cookies are safe, secure and never contain or share sensitive information.
We use cookies for functional and analytical purposes only.
We use cookies for functional and analytical purposes only.
OK
Nighttime Satellite Imagery
Nighttime Satellite Imagery are an exceptional source of geographical data about human activity and resources in dark, nocturnal conditions. The registered artificial light from space, including "dim lighting" and moonlight, highlights human activity in a way that is not possible during the daytime. Satellites equipped with sensors such as VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) and DNB (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day-Night Band) are capable of capturing images of the Earth at night, automatically transmitting data in the DNB. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of low-orbit and geostationary satellites equipped with multispectral cameras in the visible (0.4–1 μm) and near-infrared to far-infrared (1–20 μm) ranges, capable of observing the Earth's surface at night. In the 1970s, the United States Department of Defense initiated the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) for nighttime Earth remote sensing, which was used by meteorologists in the USA to detect ice and snow clouds in the visible range under moonlight and to detect clouds in the infrared range without moonlight. The Operational Linescan System (OLS), an optical telescope with night vision capabilities, and the DMSP-OLS database were created, which is still used by both the military and civilians under the management of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Modern high-resolution satellite sensors (0.5-1 meter) allow detailed nighttime imaging using both still images and video streams. The combination of infrared imaging from various satellites at night provides good analytical results after processing, both for military and civilian applications. There is also development in night imaging capabilities on small satellites. For example, a highly sensitive video camera (sensor) for night imaging with a passband of 0.319 μm is already flying on Earth observation satellites with a resolution of 3 meters and a weight of only 20 kg.
Uses of nighttime satellite imaging:
Nighttime satellite imagery is created by detecting emissions from human activity on the planet, including infrastructure (city lights, villages, towns, industrial and agricultural facilities, mining, gas flares, fishing vessels, etc.) and natural lights such as fires, lightning, moonlight, microorganisms, and animals.
Satellite images of nighttime lighting have been used for decades as a global data source to study a wide range of socio-economic factors.
Satellite images of nighttime lighting have been used for decades as a global data source to study a wide range of socio-economic factors.
Nighttime Satellite Imagery has a wide range of applications in the following areas:
- Defense and reconnaissance.
- Protection of national borders.
- Economic development and infrastructure.
- Energy sector. Malfunctions and outages.
- Distribution and population density of cities and rural areas.
- Night search and rescue operations during emergencies. Fire outbreaks. Gas leaks.
- Vessel detection.
- Airports.
- Fishing industry.
- Geology.
- Light pollution monitoring.
- Analysis of urban areas' illumination and growth. Municipal services.
Purposes and Objectives of Nighttime Satellite Imagery
The purpose of nighttime Satellite Imagery to create a picture of the Earth's nighttime environment, specific regions, territories, and objects. This involves creating "night maps," photos, and video images that reflect the constant light emissions on the Earth's surface. Nighttime remote sensing data, statistics, cartographic information, and text provide access to territorial and object-based information anywhere on Earth, complementing and enhancing daytime satellite imaging.
Detailed objectives based on the purpose include real work in:
- Creating topographic maps and plans, as well as other cartographic products based on nighttime imaging data;
- Compiling thematic maps related to issues such as economic growth, poverty, and inequality, especially where data is lacking;
- Developing a geospatial index of household prosperity calculated within the framework of demographic and medical surveys, which places individual households on a continuous scale of relative prosperity from poorer to wealthier;
- Creating engineering-topographic maps for engineering-geodetic surveys using nighttime imaging;
- Evaluating the situation on the ground during specific nighttime periods, including changes over time (military tactical level, traffic on roads and railways, fishing, power supply);
- Monitoring changes on the ground using nighttime imaging over the years;
- Creating a remote sensing basis for thematic geological and infrastructure exploration maps using infrared (IR) spectrum nighttime imaging;
- Monitoring emergency situations and their consequences during nighttime, controlling and conducting emergency recovery work;
- Monitoring light pollution of the environment;
- Creating fire photomaps;
- Improving existing approaches to mapping urban areas by integrating nighttime light (NTL) data with satellite images from other satellites (Landsat, Sentinel, WorldView, JL1-3B, Aster, Modis, etc.).
Advantages of Using Nighttime Remote Sensing Satellite Data
Mid-resolution nighttime imaging data can be obtained from open sources and combined with high-resolution images (if required by the Client), acquired rapidly from MKGT (resolution of 0.5 – 3 meters), specifically designed for nighttime imaging.
For nighttime monitoring, the images may already be available in the archives of the satellite operator, and new imaging does not require any approvals from governmental bodies. The coverage area of nighttime satellite images significantly exceeds the area covered by images obtained from aircraft or UAVs.
Materials acquired from aircraft or UAVs have high visual informativeness and excellent measurement properties but require a longer time for nighttime imaging, as it involves time for approval of the flight, transportation of aircraft (UAV with operators) to the imaging area, and higher (multiplicative) cost of data per 1 km2.
The resolution of nighttime satellite imagery eliminates the need to engage aircraft and UAVs in nighttime conditions, which, according to existing flight regulations, presents special and often impractical conditions.
Another undeniable advantage of satellite imaging is its objectivity (minimizing human factors).
For nighttime monitoring, the images may already be available in the archives of the satellite operator, and new imaging does not require any approvals from governmental bodies. The coverage area of nighttime satellite images significantly exceeds the area covered by images obtained from aircraft or UAVs.
Materials acquired from aircraft or UAVs have high visual informativeness and excellent measurement properties but require a longer time for nighttime imaging, as it involves time for approval of the flight, transportation of aircraft (UAV with operators) to the imaging area, and higher (multiplicative) cost of data per 1 km2.
The resolution of nighttime satellite imagery eliminates the need to engage aircraft and UAVs in nighttime conditions, which, according to existing flight regulations, presents special and often impractical conditions.
Another undeniable advantage of satellite imaging is its objectivity (minimizing human factors).
Have any questions?