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What does Earth really look like from space at night?
Clouds suspended in Earth’s atmosphere provide the white swirls. Enshrouded in nighttime darkness, however, Earth appears more as a black marble from space—one shimmering with light. The human search for light in darkness is long- standing.
Can you see Earth Lights from space?
Yes! Astronauts can definitely see earth lights from space.
Can you see cities at night from space?
By day, cities viewed from space can blend into the countryside, or appear as gray smudges, depending on the style of development and size of the urban area. At night however, city lights present the space observer spectacular evidence of our existence, our distribution, and our ability to change our environment.
What do satellite images of Earth at night tell us?
Satellite images of Earth at night have been a curiosity for the public and a tool of fundamental research for at least 25 years. They have provided a broad, beautiful picture, showing how humans have shaped the planet and lit up the darkness.
Why doesn’t NASA take pictures of Earth?
Even though we’ve had good, high-resolution cameras for nearly 100 years, NASA has never taken a true photograph of the Earth. By their own admission, all of the pictures we see are composites, paintings or computer-generated images.
What can we see from Outer Space?
Changes on Earth’s surface, including forest fires and other catastrophes, are often detectable from outer space. Earth As Seen From The Space Shuttle Discovery. Image Credit: NASA Another great shot of Earth, looking back over Discovery’s shuttle bay.
Can we see the entire Earth from space?
Satellites such as weather satellites in geosynchrounous orbit 37,000 km (23,000 miles) above the Earth’s surface) have sweeping views of large portions of the planet, but the only people to have seen such a broad view of the Earth were the Apollo astronauts on the way to the Moon.