Image of the Day for May 15, 2026

A recent analysis revealed where artificial light at night has intensified, as well as where it has diminished.

May 15, 2026

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Maps can show more than just where things are—they can also show how things change. New maps of artificial light reveal a planet that has been reshaping its nights through patterns of brightening and dimming.

The maps are based on a recent analysis of NASA’s Black Marble data, which found that instead of a gradual increase in artificial light at night over the course of nearly a decade, the patterns are much more nuanced.…