Observational considerations for moderate resolution nighttime lights

C. Elvidge; D. Pettit; M. Imhoff; R. Nemani; D. Pack; P. Cinzano

doi:10.1117/12.795537

20 August 2008 Observational considerations for moderate resolution nighttime lights

C. Elvidge, D. Pettit, M. Imhoff, R. Nemani, D. Pack, P. Cinzano

Proceedings Volume 7081, Earth Observing Systems XIII; 70810V (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.795537
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A concept has been developed for a satellite sensor system capable of global observation of the location, extent and brightness of night-time lights at a spatial resolution suitable for the delineation of primary features within human settlements. Nightsat should be capable of producing a complete cloud-free global map of lights on an annual basis. We have used a combination field spectra of outdoor lighting, moderate resolution color photography of cities at night from the International Space Station, and high-resolution airborne camera imagery acquired at night to define a range of spatial, spectral, and detection limit options for a future Nightsat mission. Primary findings of our study are that Nightsat should collect data from a near-synchronous orbit in the mid-evening with 50 to 100 m spatial resolution, detection limits in the range of 10^-8 watts/cm²/sr/um, and a capacity for in-flight radiometric calibration. Although panchromatic low-light imaging data would be useful, multispectral low-light imaging data would provide valuable information on the type or character of lighting; potentially stronger predictors of variables, such as ambient population density and economic activity. The Nightsat mission concept is unique in its focus on observing a human activity, in contrast to traditional Earth observing systems that focus on natural systems.

Citation Download Citation

C. Elvidge, D. Pettit, M. Imhoff, R. Nemani, D. Pack, and P. Cinzano "Observational considerations for moderate resolution nighttime lights", Proc. SPIE 7081, Earth Observing Systems XIII, 70810V (20 August 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.795537

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