What is Cities at Night
Cities at Night is an exciting citizen science project that invites people from all around the world to help scientists map Earth’s artificial lighting.
Using breathtaking images taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), you can play a vital role in understanding how light pollution affects our planet.
By classifying these images, you help researchers identify patterns of light pollution across cities, rural areas, and natural landscapes, offering insights that can lead to meaningful change. You don’t need any prior experience or special skills to participate—just a curious mind and a willingness to contribute to science!
Why Is This Important?
Light pollution is an often-overlooked environmental issue, but its impact is significant. The excessive and misdirected use of artificial light:
Disrupts ecosystems:
Many animals rely on natural light cycles for survival. Artificial light can confuse their behavior, affecting everything from migration to feeding habits.
Affects human health
Exposure to unnatural light at night can interfere with our sleep cycles, contributing to various health problems, including insomnia and other chronic conditions.
Blocks our view of the stars
Light pollution washes out our night skies, making it harder to see the stars and planets. This affects not only scientists and astronomers but also everyone who values the beauty of the night sky
How to Participate
The citizen sciende project Cities at Night involves three main tasks that anyone can join:
Task 1: Classify
This task focuses on identifying unlit areas and comparing them to those that are strongly impacted by artificial light. You will help classify the images from the ISS, whether they are auroras, glows or indeed correspond to a city or country.
Task 2: Identify
Sometimes, even astronauts aren’t sure which part of the world they’ve captured in a photo. In this task, you’ll help identify which cities or regions are depicted in these images. It’s like solving a mystery, and your help is crucial in filling in the gaps!
Task 3: Georeference
Once we know the location of the city, the next task will be the georeferencing process. This will allow us to link the identified photographs to a physical map.