Development Seed reposted this
The scientific viz team at NASA have had a lot going on lately (!) but still managed to produce an animated version of this week's print cover, showing dynamic changes in artificial light on Earth. Now we can see each region, over a span of several years, instead of one static shot. The visualization is derived from satellite images taken daily over the past decade, mapping the dynamics of human night-time activities. Golden areas show brightening, purple areas show dimming, and white areas both. Researchers reveal that, rather than being a story of universal brightening, the human light footprint is a dynamic system in which brightening and dimming both occur, often simultaneously, and are intensifying. (Link to paper in comments below). Amazing to think of the Earth visibly showing this 'heartbeat' of human activity 🌍 💙 Special thanks to author Zhe Zhu, artist Michala Garrison (cover artwork) and @Kel Elkins (animation). NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
