{"id":416759,"date":"2026-04-29T03:57:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/landsat\/nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T03:57:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:57:30","slug":"nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=416759","title":{"rendered":"Nighttime Imaging Grows Landsat\u2019s Science Value"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full 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href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/multimedia\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Multimedia<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/about\/\" rel=\"noopener\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/search\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Search<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>By\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/centers\/eros\/news\/nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For more than 50 years, Landsat<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>has imaged Earth\u2019s land and near-shore surfaces as the satellites descend in midmorning orbit, when daily sunlight is optimal. That\u2019s just what they\u2019ve always done.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Currently, Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 circle the globe while also making better use of their ascending paths, peering into the darkness for special requests.<\/p>\n<p>The visible spectral bands of Landsat\u2014the same blue, green and red wavelength colors our eyes can see\u2014are typically not that useful when collected on the ascending orbit node (also known as \u201cnighttime imagery\u201d). The exception is twilight or darkness at Earth\u2019s poles, which can provide a surprisingly clear observation in the thermal infrared spectral bands where snow, ice and water temperatures can be retrieved when the sun is at or below the horizon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Through the dark, shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands within Landsat\u2019s Operational Land Imager (OLI) instrument can detect intense heat sources such as volcanoes or active fires, while the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) measures surface temperatures that range from geothermal geysers to solid ice.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There is a growing interest in seeing what Landsat can capture as it ascends over the dark side of Earth, according to Dr. Christopher Crawford, the Landsat Project Scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. Crawford leads and oversees Landsat\u2019s long-term Earth data acquisition strategy for the USGS.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve seen a noticeable uptick in the number of nighttime imaging special requests. That\u2019s a very active and innovative measurement science area for Landsat right now,\u201d Crawford said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have active volcanoes, we\u2019ve got an ice environment that\u2019s changing, and wildfire occurrences are increasingly growing into hazards that threaten human safety, infrastructure and wildlife, among other issues. Nighttime imaging is an all-purpose solution, kind of like Jiffy Baking Mix.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-full\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-contain-16x9 \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/Greg_at_yellowstone_DSC_4465crop.jpg?w=340&#038;h=468&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/Greg_at_yellowstone_DSC_4465crop.jpg?w=340&#038;h=468&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A man wearing a reflective vest and standing on barren ground stands next to a tripod bearing equipment in front of a forest\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: contain;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/Greg_at_yellowstone_DSC_4465crop.jpg?w=340&#038;h=468&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 340w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/Greg_at_yellowstone_DSC_4465crop.jpg?w=218&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 218w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/Greg_at_yellowstone_DSC_4465crop.jpg?w=291&#038;h=401&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 291w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">R. Greg Vaughan of the USGS Astrogeology Science Center does field work at Yellowstone National Park. USGS photo<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\"><em>Sources\/Usage: Public Domain<\/em><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keeping an Eye on Volcanoes and Yellowstone<\/h4>\n<p>A particular request for nighttime imagery that turned into a \u201csystematic observation,\u201d Crawford said, is Yellowstone National Park. The volcanic area\u2019s 10,000 thermal features, such as geysers or hot springs or steam vents, can get hotter or colder, and they can appear or disappear.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Crawford is fascinated by volcanoes in general and recognizes the value of imaging them day and night. After Landsat 9 launched in 2021, when two satellites with the same high-quality sensors would together yield an image of each area of land every eight days, it seemed like a good time to start a consistent annual campaign to capture active volcanoes at night, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"width-full maxw-full margin-left-auto margin-right-auto hds-media-align-inline hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-video\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full flex-column\">\n<div class=\"hds-video-container width-full embed-container\" style=\"\"><video title=\"IOW - A New Yellowstone Hot Spot.mp4\" id=\"nasa-plus-wbfyv\" class=\"video-js video-player vjs-fluid width-full\" data-setup='{\"controls\":true,\"preload\":\"auto\",\"plugins\":{\"mux\":{\"debug\":false,\"data\":{\"env_key\":\"91nns8oppqdfqc44lgo4b1gni\",\"player_name\":\"www.nasa.gov Player\",\"video_name\":\"IOW - A New Yellowstone Hot Spot.mp4\"}}}}'  ><source src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/IOW%20-%20A%20New%20Yellowstone%20Hot%20Spot.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-media-caption hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">\n<div>Watch a video about imagery related to the discovery of a new thermal area in Yellowstone.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">\n<div><em>Sources\/Usage: Public Domain<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>R. Greg Vaughan of the USGS Astrogeology Science Center, who researches active volcanoes, gave him a list. Vaughan has used Landsat data and other remote sensing methods to monitor changing thermal features in his role as the remote sensing lead for the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Vaughan also taught Crawford something about imaging Yellowstone\u2019s thermal features at night\u2014that the best season for locating them is during winter. That\u2019s when the contrast between the heated features and the colder surrounding area is greatest.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe thing that I\u2019ve probably taken away the most is that you have to acquire data to then understand what data to continue to acquire,\u201d Crawford said. <\/p>\n<p>Vaughan spotted\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/observatories\/yvo\/news\/discovering-new-thermal-areas-yellowstones-dynamic-landscape\" rel=\"noopener\">an exciting surprise<\/a>\u00a0when reviewing Landsat 8 nighttime TIRS data of Yellowstone acquired in April 2017. Comparing warm areas in the imagery to previously mapped thermal features, he found a \u201cbig blob of bright, warm pixels\u201d that didn\u2019t match anything on the map.<\/p>\n<p>After ruling out the possibility that it could be a thawing lake next to frozen land, he looked at the secluded area with daytime aerial imagery. The telltale signs of a new and growing thermal feature were there: bright hydrothermal-altered soil and dead and dying trees.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-contain-16x9 \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/Landsat%20thermal.jpg?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/Landsat%20thermal.jpg?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: contain;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"><em>A Landsat 8 nighttime\u00a0thermal\u00a0infrared image from April 2017 shows the Tern Lake area in Yellowstone National Park. In Yellowstone, temperatures are extremely cold at night in the winter, and most lakes are frozen (dark pixels). West Tern Lake seems to be thawing here; it might receive some thermal water inflow from nearby hot springs. The patch of bright (warm) pixels between West Tern Lake and the Tern Lake Thermal Area emerged over a period of roughly 20 years. Lakes are outlined in blue; known thermal areas are outlined in red; and the red triangles are individual thermal features that have been mapped.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\"><em>Image credit: R. Greg Vaughn, USGS<\/em><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Vaughan discussed his find and his use of Landsat data in a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/centers\/eros\/science\/eyes-earth-episode-137-landsat-takes-yellowstones-temperature\" rel=\"noopener\">recent Eyes on Earth podcast episode<\/a>\u00a0produced by USGS EROS.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is why I love Landsat 8 and 9 so much. These instruments acquire data regularly, not just during the day, but they can also be tasked to acquire data at night on a regular basis. And this is really critical for my work,\u201d Vaughan said.<\/p>\n<p>Vaughan has been named a member of the current\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/landsat-missions\/news\/new-landsat-science-team-announced\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat Science Team<\/a>, a group of scientific and technical subject matter experts who provide analysis and advice to the Landsat Program. His research in that capacity will focus on active volcanoes.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-contain-16x9 \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/img7596.jpg?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/img7596.jpg?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"An aerial view of the area in the Landsat 8 nighttime image shows the new thermal area (center left) that R. Greg Vaughan spotted in the Landsat image. The existing Tern Lake Thermal Area is the bright white patch of ground in the upper middle part of the image. West Tern Lake is the dark area in the lower right, and Tern Lake is above that. Photo credit: Michael Poland, USGS\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: contain;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/img7596.jpg?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 750w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/img7596.jpg?w=300&#038;h=188&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/img7596.jpg?w=400&#038;h=251&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/img7596.jpg?w=600&#038;h=376&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"><em>An aerial view of the area in the Landsat 8 nighttime image shows the new thermal area (center left) that R. Greg Vaughan spotted in the Landsat image. The existing Tern Lake Thermal Area is the bright white patch of ground in the upper middle part of the image. West Tern Lake is the dark area in the lower right, and Tern Lake is above that. <\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\"><em>Photo credit: Michael Poland, USGS<\/em><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fires, Flares and Urban Areas Among Requests<\/h4>\n<p>The fire community in the western United States also finds value in Landsat nighttime imagery, Crawford said\u2014including the energy industry and its infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Energy\u2019s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory submits annual special requests for proactive nighttime imaging of seasonal wildfires to support on-the-ground decision making.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve done it three seasons in a row, and the results are pretty remarkable in terms of what we\u2019re able to see,\u201d especially with the SWIR bands, Crawford said. Those results compare well to airborne infrared sensing taken from low-altitude flights over the same wildfires.<\/p>\n<p>Landsat can also detect gas flares that are useful to oil and gas industry functions. \u201cThere are regular special requests submitted to monitor global sites that produce Liquefied Natural Gas, or LNG,\u201d Crawford said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In addition, he sees requests for nighttime images over particular cities to map urban temperature, which may be higher than cooler surrounding areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>One recent request went beyond the already routine monitoring of active volcanoes in Iceland to encompass the entire country and coastline in a large seasonal campaign to survey overall volcanic activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Crawford weighs this type of request carefully, posing these questions: \u201cDoes this advance the science mission? Is it serving the user community?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Iceland, that was a yes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI look for areas where Landsat imaging data may be underutilized, as well as areas for strategic science mission advancement and societal benefits, and in many ways, these growth areas can be enabled through the data acquisition process,\u201d Crawford said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-contain-16x9 \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/right_2021-08-29_L8.jpeg?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/right_2021-08-29_L8.jpeg?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: contain;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/right_2021-08-29_L8.jpeg?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 750w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/right_2021-08-29_L8.jpeg?w=300&#038;h=188&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/right_2021-08-29_L8.jpeg?w=400&#038;h=251&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/right_2021-08-29_L8.jpeg?w=600&#038;h=376&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"><em>Landsat 8\u2019s thermal infrared, shortwave infrared and near infrared spectral bands expose the Caldor Fire\u2019s advancing edge south of Lake Tahoe in California in a nighttime image from August 29, 2021.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A LEAP Forward<\/h4>\n<p>A significant advancement in learning about Landsat\u2019s nighttime capabilities came with the effort to monitor polar regions year-round, with leadership from former Landsat Science Team member Dr. Ted Scambos from the University of Colorado Boulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/centers\/eros\/news\/landsat-images-twilight-zone-new-eyes-earth-episode\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat Extended Acquisition of the Poles (LEAP) campaign<\/a>\u00a0now routinely collects imagery over the polar regions, where few wintertime images had existed in Landsat\u2019s data record before. The visible-to-shortwave infrared and thermal infrared spectral bands allow scientists to track changes in polar ice sheets, measure polar surface temperatures and examine the interaction of ocean water and ice shelves.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The sun\u2019s low angle is not much of a hindrance to imaging data quality, Crawford said in an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/centers\/eros\/science\/eyes-earth-episode-116-landsat-images-twilight-zone\" rel=\"noopener\">Eyes on Earth episode about the LEAP campaign<\/a>. \u201cSnow and ice are still really bright mediums on the surface, and so even if the illumination is low, you can still see a lot of detail because of the high reflectivity.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, nighttime imaging does not burden Landsat 8 and Landsat 9. \u201cThe instruments are always on, so it\u2019s just a matter of whether we\u2019re recording the data,\u201d Crawford said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-contain-16x9 \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/20240105_Band11.png?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/20240105_Band11.png?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: contain;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/20240105_Band11.png?w=750&#038;h=470&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 750w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/20240105_Band11.png?w=300&#038;h=188&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/20240105_Band11.png?w=400&#038;h=251&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/20240105_Band11.png?w=600&#038;h=376&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"><em>This twilight thermal infrared image of Petermann Glacier, Greenland, was captured by Landsat 9 on January 5, 2024. This winter image displays data acquired when the sun was below the horizon. Darker areas are relatively colder than bright areas.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The imagery\u2019s darkness helps keep data volumes much lower than the daytime and allows sufficient time for the satellites to pass off the data to ground stations around the globe whose function is to downlink the recorded data.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re starting to leverage Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 observatory capabilities to maximum scientific and societal benefit returns,\u201d Crawford said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re populating the Landsat archive with long-term image data records that are helpful for not only quantifying changes on the Earth\u2019s surface right now, but in the past and in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Requesting and Accessing Imagery<\/h4>\n<p>To learn more about Landsat data acquisitions and to submit a special request for future nighttime imagery,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/landsat-missions\/landsat-acquisitions\" rel=\"noopener\">visit the Landsat Acquisitions webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>All imagery collected by special requests is made available to the public through the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/earthexplorer.usgs.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">USGS EarthExplorer website<\/a>. Select the \u201cLandsat Collection 2 Level-1\u201d dataset, and then select \u201cNight\u201d under Additional Criteria.\u00a0<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/centers\/eros\/science\/eyes-earth-episode-116-landsat-images-twilight-zone\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"alignwide wp-block-smd-block-constant-contact\"><!-- Begin Constant Contact Inline Form Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"ctct-inline-form\" data-form-id=\"8ade10dd-8111-498a-b513-c0c2caeb7014\" data-ctct-m=\"1032306267960f9a9edc93215bf7d4b7\"><\/div>\n<p><!-- End Constant Contact Inline Form Code --><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-8053f19a-275c-4597-96ec-406bea05f980\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" data-starting-query=\"{\"block_id\":\"content-list-8053f19a-275c-4597-96ec-406bea05f980\",\"categories\":\"\",\"content_categories\":\"\",\"exclude_child_terms\":false,\"exclude_child_pages\":false,\"layout\":\"grid\",\"listing_page\":\"no\",\"listing_page_category_id\":1317,\"meta_fields\":[],\"news_tags\":\"\",\"number_of_items\":3,\"order\":\"DESC\",\"orderby\":\"date\",\"current_page\":1,\"requesting_id\":1215976,\"science_only\":false,\"search_query\":\"\",\"show_content_type_tags\":\"yes\",\"show_excerpts\":\"yes\",\"show_pagination\":true,\"show_publish_date\":\"absolute\",\"show_readtime\":\"yes\",\"show_thumbnails\":\"yes\",\"science_org\":\"\",\"content_science_orgs\":\"\",\"internal_terms\":\"\",\"mission_programs\":\"\",\"mission_status\":\"\",\"mission_target\":\"\",\"mission_type\":\"\",\"response_format\":\"html\",\"show_drafts\":false,\"related_content\":\"\",\"use_content_term_filters\":false,\"filter_logic\":\"default\",\"initial_filter_logic\":\"match_any\",\"post_types\":[\"post\"],\"base_terms\":\"{\"category\":\"1317\",\"science-org\":\"20418,21992,20598\",\"internal-terms\":\"\",\"news-tags\":\"\"}\"}\" data-current-query=\"{\"block_id\":\"content-list-8053f19a-275c-4597-96ec-406bea05f980\",\"categories\":\"\",\"content_categories\":\"\",\"exclude_child_terms\":false,\"exclude_child_pages\":false,\"layout\":\"grid\",\"listing_page\":\"no\",\"listing_page_category_id\":1317,\"meta_fields\":[],\"news_tags\":\"\",\"number_of_items\":3,\"order\":\"DESC\",\"orderby\":\"date\",\"current_page\":1,\"requesting_id\":1215976,\"science_only\":false,\"search_query\":\"\",\"show_content_type_tags\":\"yes\",\"show_excerpts\":\"yes\",\"show_pagination\":true,\"show_publish_date\":\"absolute\",\"show_readtime\":\"yes\",\"show_thumbnails\":\"yes\",\"science_org\":\"\",\"content_science_orgs\":\"\",\"internal_terms\":\"\",\"mission_programs\":\"\",\"mission_status\":\"\",\"mission_target\":\"\",\"mission_type\":\"\",\"response_format\":\"html\",\"show_drafts\":false,\"related_content\":\"\",\"use_content_term_filters\":false,\"filter_logic\":\"default\",\"initial_filter_logic\":\"match_any\",\"post_types\":[\"post\"],\"base_terms\":\"{\"category\":\"1317\",\"science-org\":\"20418,21992,20598\",\"internal-terms\":\"\",\"news-tags\":\"\"}\"}\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">Explore More<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\" style=\"display: block\">\n<div id=\"filter-tags\" class=\"grid-col-12 filter-tags-container\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"smd-orbit-loader\" role=\"status\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"orbit-plane\"><span class=\"orbit-dot\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-list-container\" class=\"hds-content-items hds-content-items-grid margin-top-2\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-rest-url=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/smd\/v1\/content-list\">\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post current-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/landsat\/nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/20240105_Band11.png?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/landsat\/2026\/04\/20240105_Band11.png?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/landsat\/nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Nighttime Imaging Grows Landsat\u2019s Science Value<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    7 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">By\u00a0Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center\u00a0 For more than 50 years, Landsat\u00a0has imaged Earth\u2019s land and near-shore surfaces as\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"label margin-y-1\">Apr 28, 2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fiery-fall-color-in-southern-chile\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fiery-fall-color-in-southern-chile\/fallinpatagonia_oli2_20260412_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fiery-fall-color-in-southern-chile\/fallinpatagonia_oli2_20260412_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fiery-fall-color-in-southern-chile\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Fiery Fall Color in Southern Chile<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">The beech forests of southern Patagonia put on vibrant autumn displays.<\/p>\n<div class=\"label margin-y-1\">Apr 28, 2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/human-dimensions\/agriculture\/an-agricultural-mosaic-in-taiwan\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/an-agricultural-mosaic-in-taiwan\/taiwan_agriculture_oli2_20260318_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/an-agricultural-mosaic-in-taiwan\/taiwan_agriculture_oli2_20260318_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/human-dimensions\/agriculture\/an-agricultural-mosaic-in-taiwan\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">An Agricultural Mosaic in Taiwan<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    4 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Diversity reigns across the farmland of Yunlin County in southwestern Taiwan\u2014a region that produces an array of crops on small\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"label margin-y-1\">Apr 24, 2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"pagination-container\" class=\"pagination\">\n<nav class=\"hds-pagination hds-pagination--content-lists\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Pagination Navigation\" data-mid-size=\"2\" data-end-size=\"1\" data-max-pages=\"305\" >\n<span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\" aria-label=\"Current Page, Page 1\" aria-current=\"true\" data-page-number=\"1\"><br \/>\n<span>1<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/landsat\/nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 2\" data-page-number=\"2\"><br \/>\n<span>2<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/landsat\/nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 3\" data-page-number=\"3\"><br \/>\n<span>3<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<span class=\"page-number dots\" data-page-numbers=\"3-304\">\u2026<\/span><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/landsat\/nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 305\" data-page-number=\"305\"><br \/>\n<span>305<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"next page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/landsat\/nighttime-imaging-grows-landsats-science-value\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Next Page\" data-page-number=\"2\">Next<\/a><br \/>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By\u00a0Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center\u00a0 For more than 50 years, Landsat\u00a0has imaged Earth\u2019s land and near-shore surfaces as the satellites descend in midmorning orbit, when daily sunlight is optimal. That\u2019s just what they\u2019ve always done.\u00a0 Currently, Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 circle the globe while also making better use of their ascending paths, [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15644,16159],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-416759","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-earth","category-landsat"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/416759","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=416759"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/416759\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":416761,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/416759\/revisions\/416761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=416759"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=416759"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=416759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}