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North America at night. Map showing urban and industrial lights over North America at night. It was created by combining data from NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Terra satellite. Most lights originate from artificial lighting in cities and towns, other light sources originate from biomass burning, such as fires and oil rig flares. The image also shows shipping routes superimposed over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Data acquired from NOAA's SEAS BBXX database, from 14.10.2004 to 15.10.2005. This image illustrates modern human impact on the planet. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/FELIX PHARAND-DESCHENES, GLOBAIA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)