World City Lights

NASA image acquired April 18 - October 23, 2012

This new image of the Earth at night is a composite assembled from data acquired by the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite over nine days in April 2012 and thirteen days in October 2012. It took 312 orbits and 2.5 terabytes of data to get a clear shot of every parcel of Earth’s land surface and islands.

The nighttime view of Earth in visible light was made possible by the “day-night band” of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite. VIIRS detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared and uses filtering techniques to observe dim signals such as gas flares, auroras, wildfires, city lights, and reflected moonlight. In this case, auroras, fires, and other stray light have been removed to emphasize the city lights.

Named for satellite meteorology pioneer Verner Suomi, NPP flies over any given point on Earth’s surface twice each day at roughly 1:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The spacecraft flies 824 kilometers (512 miles) above the surface in a polar orbit, circling the planet about 14 times a day. Suomi NPP sends its data once per orbit to a ground station in Svalbard, Norway, and continuously to local direct broadcast users distributed around the world. The mission is managed by NASA with operational support from NOAA and its Joint Polar Satellite System, which manages the satellite's ground system.

I take great pride in my images, so I want to make sure my customers are getting the highest quality products possible. My high resolution images are printed by some of the largest and most respected print fulfillment companies in the world, using professional grade printers on museum quality archival (acid-free) papers and canvases. Metal prints are printed on high gloss aluminum sheets, and are durable, light weight, and waterproof. Unframed prints ship in durable cardboard tubes, while framed and metal prints ship in flat boxes. Your professionally assembled custom fine art is usually ready to ship in 5-7 business days.

Custom Wall Art Options

Just because you don't see it here, doesn't mean you can't have it the way you want it! I'm constantly adding new print options, frames, and mats. If you're looking for a particular frame or print material, custom size or crop, or even advice on what kind of print would look good in your space, just contact me, and I'll do my best to help you meet your needs.

Framed Prints

Framed prints are professionally mounted and assembled by expert framing staff and arrive "ready-to-hang" with pre-attached hanging wire, mounting hooks, and nails. High-grade acrylic is used for glazing, which won't break in shipping. Frames are available to us at wholesale prices, which are typically 25-40% less than retail framing shops. If you're planning on framing a fine art print anyway, why not get it done professionally for less?

Canvas Prints

Add style and personality to any room with this fine art canvas print. Images are printed on premium canvas and mounted on 1.5" wooden stretcher bars. Wrap options include solid color (white or black), natural wrap, or mirrored wrap. Rolled canvas is an alternate option, and includes a 2.5" white border to allow for future mounting. Shipped to your door ready to hang, with pre-attached hanging wire or sawtooth hanger.

Metal Prints

Hang a modern work of art on your wall, with these stylish metal prints. A high gloss finish adds depth and boldness to colors printed on a 1/16" thick sheet of aluminum. A hanging plate is attached to the back, to float the print 1/2"-3/4" from the wall, and rubber bumpers on all four corners stabilize the print when hung. These amazing lightweight prints are durable and even water proof!