Light from cities and towns stands out against the darkness of the English Channel and the North Sea. Some of the largest cities in Western Europe are visible in the photo, including the capital cities of Paris, France; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and London, England. Lighted roads and infrastructure connect these bright metropolitan areas. The photo was taken at an oblique angle and includes Earth’s horizon—also known as Earth’s limb—near the top of the image.

Europe at Night

Major cities in northwestern Europe shine bright in this nighttime photo, taken by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. View the full story

Credits: NASA / Expedition 70 crew

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Earth Observatory Image of the Day

TakenJanuary 19, 2024

Image CreditNASA / Expedition 70 crew

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