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Africa, night-day satellite image
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Africa, night-day satellite image
Africa, night-day satellite image. This composite image of the Earth is set against a background of stars, and is centred on the continent of Africa. North is at top. The left-hand half of the globe is at night, and city lights (yellow) show areas of dense population. The right-hand half of the globe is lit by sunlight and shows clouds (white), seas and oceans (blue), and land cover: vegetation (green) and arid areas (brown). This day-night line is the dawn terminator. This image, from 2001, combines data from a variety of satellite sensors (AVHRR, SeaWiFS, MODIS) for the sunlit areas. The night-time data is from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). For the separate images, see E074/080 and E050/678
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Media ID 1705659
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This print showcases a stunning night-day satellite image of Africa, set against the backdrop of twinkling stars. The continent takes center stage in this composite image, with the northern part at the top. The left-hand half of the globe is shrouded in darkness, revealing clusters of city lights that signify areas densely populated by humans. On the right-hand side, sunlight illuminates clouds in white, vast seas and oceans in blue, as well as land cover displaying vibrant shades of green for vegetation and brown for arid regions. The boundary between day and night forms a striking line known as the dawn terminator. This remarkable image was created using data from various satellite sensors such as AVHRR, SeaWiFS, MODIS to capture sunlit areas while Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) provided nighttime data. Taken in 2001 during an era marked by technological advancements and growing human population on Earth, this composite image not only highlights Africa's geographical features but also sheds light on its continental distribution and urbanization patterns. It serves as a reminder of our planet's beauty seen from space while also raising awareness about environmental impacts such as light pollution caused by artificial city lights. This extraordinary photograph offers a glimpse into our ever-changing world through the lens of earth science observation and meteorology. It captures both natural elements like clouds and water bodies alongside man-made structures representing human habitation across Africa's diverse landscapes.
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