Christmas lights from space

Thanks to the fact that VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Array, 22-band radiometer that captures visible and infrared light to monitor ice movements and changes in the shape of the terrain) is installed on the Suomi NPP satellite, Christmas lights can also be observed in major cities In the world.

In a joint mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), scientists have found a new way to study satellite data that shows light consumption patterns during Christmas and the holy month of Ramadan. Muslim community.

These tools can provide new insights into how energy consumption behaviors differ in different cultural contexts.

For several years, NASA has produced maps of the dark part of the Earth, that is, night maps, which were used to understand what was happening in the main cities of the world.

For the first time there is the ability to improve this analysis and monitor all cities of the world on a daily and consistent basis. You can see in detail how energy consumption changes from city to city and community to community.

Energy consumption during Christmas in the United States

In the United States we found an interesting thing. During Christmas, in all cities, regardless of their economic development, energy consumption increases.

This means, among other things, that Christmas is not only a religious holiday, but also a civil holiday common to many communities in that country.

With information from UNAM