Those measurements can be used to determine the intensity and source of light over a number of years. VIIRS detects light reflected from Earth's surface and atmosphere in 22 different wavelengths and it is the first satellite instrument to take quantitative measurements of light emissions and reflections. NASA's 'workhorse' on the project is the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) weather satellite. The last composite view of the Earth’s night lights basin 2016.

The Ukraine conflict has shown the value of such systems, which have been used to monitor Russian positions. Black Marble Known as the Black Marble (as opposed to the daytime Blue Marble ), NASA updates a composite view of the Earth at Night occasionally. The satellite will use radar technology to see through cloud and will even work at night. However, new technology is improving the process. The growth of night lights is most visible in satellite pictures of the Earth and in photos taken from the International Space Station. The team behind the photo must take into account the phases of the moon as well as 'seasonal vegetation, clouds, aerosols, snow and ice cover, and even faint atmospheric emissions (such as airglow and auroras) change the way light is observed in different parts of the world.' The last time NASA released a global map like this was in 2012, and the agency says these nighttime world maps are both a 'gee-whiz curiosity for the public and a tool for fundamental research for nearly 25 years.' Creating such an image is difficult and time consuming, as light on the planet is constantly shifting.

Night satellite view of earth