Meghan Hodges
Light pollution, also known as skyglow, is a global issue affecting billions of people. It refers to the excess artificial light that shines into the night sky, causing a constant haze over cities at night. NASA's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is a valuable tool for studying light pollution and its impacts. VIIRS measures the radiance of nighttime lights, providing insights into the energy levels, area, and direction of light emissions. This data is essential for understanding the factors influencing light pollution, such as urban form, density, and socio-economic variables. By analyzing VIIRS imagery, researchers can assess the extent of light pollution, identify areas with pristine night skies, and examine the relationship between population size and light emissions. The data also aids in tracking urban growth, electrification, and the biological impacts of artificial lighting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 28 October 2011 |
| Resolution | 750 m |
| Wavelength | 500-900 nm |
| Use cases | Tracking urban growth, assessing electrification, monitoring disasters, studying biological impacts of light pollution, tracking expansion of urban areas, assessing power outages, monitoring conflict |
| Data availability | Daily and monthly composites |
| Data sources | NASA's VIIRS/NPP Lunar BRDF-Adjusted Nighttime Lights Yearly composites, NOAA VIIRS data, NASA World Atlas 2015 overlay data, SQM and SQM-L layers, SQC layer, Observatory data, Cloud layer |
| Data visualisations | Lighttrends application, Light pollution map, Google Earth |
| Data products | Black Marble, Black Marble Nighttime Blue/Yellow Composite Product |
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What You'll Learn
- VIIRS data is used to detect and measure radiant emissions from gas flares, a major source of light pollution
- VIIRS can be used to monitor disasters and conflict, and their impact on light emissions
- VIIRS data can be used to study the relationship between population size and light emissions
- VIIRS can be used to estimate population and economic activity
- VIIRS data can be used to distinguish between truly pristine night skies and light-polluted skies
VIIRS data is used to detect and measure radiant emissions from gas flares, a major source of light pollution
VIIRS, or Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, is a powerful tool that has been used to study light pollution from densely populated urban areas. VIIRS data is particularly useful for detecting and measuring radiant emissions from gas flares, a significant source of light pollution. Gas flares are a result of industrial activities, and their intense heat can reach temperatures between 1500 to 2000 Kelvin, emitting light that is detectable by VIIRS.
The Earth Observation Group (EOG) has been at the forefront of utilizing VIIRS data for monitoring gas flares. They process vast amounts of VIIRS nighttime data from JPSS satellites like the Suomi NPP, NOAA-20, and NOAA-21. This data has been instrumental in developing the VIIRS Nightfire product, which aids in global surveys of flaring sites. VIIRS Nightfire uses multispectral imagery to provide valuable information such as temperature, source size, and radiant heat of natural gas flares.
The ability to detect gas flares with VIIRS is attributed to its sensitivity to different spectral bands. By analyzing these bands, VIIRS can identify and characterize individual gas flares based on their intensity, duration, and location. This capability is crucial for distinguishing gas flares from other sources of emitted radiance, as seen in the nighttime imagery of Basra, Iraq, where gas flares appear as bright white dots.
The detection and measurement of radiant emissions from gas flares have several important applications. Firstly, it helps assess the environmental impact of gas flaring, as the emissions contribute to carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions. Secondly, it enables the quantification of gas flaring CH4 consumption and the associated release of CO2. This information is vital for emission reduction strategies and ensuring regulatory compliance in the energy sector.
In conclusion, VIIRS data plays a critical role in detecting and measuring radiant emissions from gas flares, a major source of light pollution. By utilizing its unique capabilities, researchers and industry experts can address environmental concerns, improve emission estimates, and make informed decisions to mitigate the impact of light pollution from gas flares.
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VIIRS can be used to monitor disasters and conflict, and their impact on light emissions
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is a powerful tool that has been used to study light pollution and its impact on the environment and human health. VIIRS provides high-quality nighttime images with a spatial resolution of 750 meters in the Day/Night Bands (DNB), allowing for the detection and measurement of light emissions from human activities.
One of the key applications of VIIRS is in monitoring disasters and conflicts and their impact on light emissions. VIIRS can detect power outages in the wake of hurricanes or storms, providing valuable information for disaster response and recovery efforts. For example, VIIRS detected power outages caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Beryl in Houston, Texas, in 2024.
VIIRS data can also be used to monitor short-term changes caused by disturbances such as conflicts, earthquakes, and brownouts. This information can help authorities and aid organizations respond to and manage these crises effectively. Additionally, VIIRS can monitor cyclical changes driven by recurring human activities, such as holiday lighting and seasonal migrations, which can impact light emissions.
Furthermore, VIIRS has been used to study the relationship between population size and light emissions in cities and communities. This information can help in disaster preparedness and response, as it provides insights into the potential impact of a disaster on densely populated areas. By understanding the normal lighting patterns of an area, deviations from the norm can indicate power disruptions or other issues caused by a disaster or conflict.
The ability of VIIRS to distinguish between different sources of night lights, such as gas flares, and to observe how lighting changes over time, makes it a valuable tool for monitoring and assessing the impact of disasters and conflicts on light emissions. This, in turn, can inform relief and recovery efforts, as well as help in understanding the short-term and long-term effects of these events on affected communities.
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VIIRS data can be used to study the relationship between population size and light emissions
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is a valuable tool for studying the relationship between population size and light emissions. VIIRS collects high-quality nighttime images at a spatial resolution of 750 m in the Day/Night Bands (DNB), between 500 and 900 nm. This allows for the analysis of light emissions from cities and communities, which can be used to estimate population size and economic activity.
VIIRS data has been used to study the relationship between population size and light emissions in several countries, including the United States, Germany, China, and Israel. For example, Kyba et al. (2014) used VIIRS DNB data to examine the relationship between population size and the sum of lights from cities and communities in the US and Germany, finding differences in light emission between cities of these two countries.
In addition, VIIRS data can be used to detect and measure radiant emissions from gas flares, which are a major industrial source of light pollution. This can be useful for understanding the impact of industrial activity on light emissions and population distribution.
Furthermore, VIIRS data has been shown to be a promising supplementary source for standard measures of population and economic output, especially in areas with low population and economic density, such as Africa. VIIRS data provides more information for estimating population size than other light products, making it a valuable tool for studying the relationship between population size and light emissions in sparsely populated regions.
The improved quality of VIIRS nighttime light images over those acquired by the DMSP/OLS sensor also makes it a useful tool for mapping global fossil fuel combustion CO2 emissions. By combining VIIRS data with population distribution datasets, researchers can better understand the relationship between population size, economic activity, and light emissions, contributing to more informed decisions and policies related to light pollution and environmental impact.
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VIIRS can be used to estimate population and economic activity
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is a useful tool for estimating population and economic activity. VIIRS data can be used to estimate population size and economic output, particularly in areas with low population and economic density, such as Sub-Saharan Africa. This is because VIIRS provides more detailed spatial information and captures more light data than other light products, such as those produced by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP).
VIIRS data has been used to study the relationship between population size and the sum of lights from cities and communities in the USA and Germany, with differences in light emission found between the two countries. VIIRS has also been used to examine the nighttime brightness of cities in China and the USA. These studies indicate that VIIRS data can be a valuable tool for understanding urbanization levels and economic activities, which are closely related to the generation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).
The use of VIIRS data for estimating population and economic activity is particularly relevant in regions with poor data systems. For example, in countries with low-income levels, adequate economic and social data to study the subnational economic effects of natural disasters can be difficult to obtain. In these cases, VIIRS night light data can be used to estimate the impacts of natural disasters on local economic activity, population, employment, and income statistics.
Furthermore, VIIRS data can be used to estimate economic patterns in developing countries. While there is an inconclusive debate about the validity of assuming that night-time lights are a good proxy for economic development in sub-national level studies, particularly in rural areas, VIIRS data has been found to have the best model fit for estimating Regional Domestic Product (RDP) across municipalities with different degrees of urbanization in Colombia.
Overall, VIIRS data is a promising supplementary source for standard measures of population and economic activity, especially in regions with poor data quality. However, further analysis and formal statistical models are needed to fully evaluate the usefulness of VIIRS data for estimating population and economic activity.
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VIIRS data can be used to distinguish between truly pristine night skies and light-polluted skies
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is a powerful tool for studying light pollution and its impacts on the environment. VIIRS data can provide valuable insights into the distinction between pristine night skies and light-polluted skies, helping us understand and address the issue of light pollution.
VIIRS is a satellite-based system that collects high-quality nighttime images with a spatial resolution of 750 meters in the Day/Night Bands (DNB). It detects and measures light emissions from various sources, including cities, towns, and industrial activities. By analysing VIIRS data, researchers can identify areas with minimal light pollution, which are essential for astronomy, ecological studies, and preserving natural environments.
One of the key advantages of VIIRS is its ability to distinguish between different levels of light pollution. It measures the radiance or energy level of light emissions, allowing for the identification of truly pristine night skies. These are areas with minimal artificial light intrusion, where natural darkness prevails. By comparing the amount of upward-directed light in different regions, researchers can pinpoint locations with exceptionally dark skies, free from significant light pollution.
The data provided by VIIRS helps to create detailed light pollution maps, such as the World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness. These maps visually represent the extent of light pollution, with grey contours indicating artificial sky brightness levels only slightly above the natural background. This information is crucial for conservation efforts and can guide policies aimed at reducing light pollution and protecting dark sky areas.
Additionally, VIIRS data can reveal the impact of light pollution on a global scale. By studying nighttime brightness in densely populated areas, researchers can track urban growth, assess electrification, and monitor disasters. For example, VIIRS data was used to detect power outages in Houston, Texas, caused by Hurricane Beryl, providing valuable information for disaster recovery efforts.
In conclusion, VIIRS data is an invaluable resource for distinguishing between pristine night skies and light-polluted skies. Its ability to measure light emissions, create detailed maps, and track changes in light pollution over time makes it a powerful tool for researchers, policymakers, and conservationists working to mitigate the negative impacts of light pollution and preserve the beauty of the night sky.
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Frequently asked questions
VIIRS stands for Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite. It is a satellite-based tool that collects high-quality nighttime images at a spatial resolution of 750 m in the Day/Night Bands (DNB).
VIIRS measures the amount of light energy coming from a given area of Earth. It accounts for factors such as energy level, area, and direction to determine the level of light pollution.
VIIRS data has a wide range of applications, including tracking urban growth, assessing electrification, monitoring disasters, and studying the biological impacts of light pollution. It is also used for estimating population and understanding the ecological effects of artificial lighting.
VIIRS data is available through various sources, such as NASA's Black Marble suite of products, NOAA's website, and applications like Lighttrends and Light Pollution Map.
One challenge is cloud cover, especially in tropical regions, which can obstruct the collection of good quality data. Additionally, solar illumination can impact data collection near the poles during their respective summer months.
