Post #2086640

2026-04-08 15:32 UTC

This is where looking at the daily data (rather than monthly composites) becomes a REALLY BIG DEAL. Nighttime lights data are really noisy. Part of the noise comes about because the satellite can view a scene from different directions. When that happens, it's viewing LITERALLY DIFFERENT LIGHTS, as in the aerial photos here.

Replies (1)

@skyglowberlin@fediscience.org 2026-04-08 15:35

For that reason, in the new analysis the data is broken up and fitted separately depending on the viewing zenith angle (angle from straight down). This helps deal with the fact that city centers are typically brightest when viewed from above (and dimmer from the side), while the opposite is true of residential neighborhoods.

Open ##2086641