Datasets > Raster data > North America > 1950-1999

Nighttime Lights of North America - Human Settlements, 1994-1995

National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center · 1994 Full Details

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Full Details

Title
Nighttime Lights of North America - Human Settlements, 1994-1995
Description
This map shows the four types of light sources as observed in North America during 1994-1995. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) has a unique low-light imaging capability. developed for the detection of clouds using moonlight. In addition to moonlit clouds, the OLS also detects lights from human settlements, fires, gas flares, heavily lit fishing boats, lightning and the aurora. By analyzing the location, frequency, and appearance of lights observed in an image times series, it is possible to distinguish four primary types of lights present at the earth's surface: human settlements, fires, gas flares, and fishing boats. This layer is part of the Nighttime Lights of the World dataset, a satellite-based global inventory of human settlements, derived from nighttime data from the DMSP., This dataset is intended for researchers, students, and policy makers, and the general public for reference and mapping purposes, and may be used for basic applications such as viewing, querying, and map output production, or to provide a basemap to support graphical overlays and analysis with other spatial data., This layer is presented in the WGS84 coordinate system for web display purposes. Downloadable data are provided in native coordinate system or projection.
Creator
National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center
Publisher
National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center
Subject
Light sources, Human settlements, Imagery and Base Maps, Environment
Temporal Coverage
1994-1995
Date Issued
2009
Rights
This item is in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use.
Rights Holder
This work is in the Public Domain, meaning that it is not subject to copyright.
Access Rights
Public
Format
GeoTIFF
Language
English
Date Added
October 01, 2025

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  • Citation
    National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center (2009). Nighttime Lights of North America - Human Settlements, 1994-1995. National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center. https://purl.stanford.edu/vn581rh3345 (dataset)
  • BTAA Geoportal Link

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