Earth Observation Group

Utilizing cutting edge satellite technology and data to inform stakeholders on issues related to oil and gas, power outages, forest fires, and fishing.

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The Earth Observation Group (EOG) specializes in nighttime observations of lights and combustion sources worldwide. The group started working with Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) data in 1994 and has produced a time series of annual cloud-free composites of nighttime lights. EOG’s current focus is on deriving products from nighttime Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data.

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SPECIAL STUDIES

Global Gas Flaring from Space

With VIIRS Nightfire (VNF), EOG continues to monitor each and every single one gas flares around the world. Annual summary of global gas flare activities is also compiled. Learn more

Looking for older dataset produced with DMSP? Learn more

VIIRS Lumen Watch

A quick and comprehensive way to monitor an area of interest with Nighttime Light. Especially useful to monitor the trend and incidents of power supply. See our demo for Rohingya Refugee Camp near the border of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Demo

NOS Multilens Aerial Photography

The U.S. National Ocean Survey collected coastal aerial photography with multilens cameras from the the 1920’s until the 1960’s for use in shoreline mapping.  The multilens approach was adapted to ensure stereo coverage and to extend the coverage achieved within single flightlines.  The original collection is in paper print format and is in long-term storage at the Federal Records Center in north Broomfield, Colorado.  Approximately 10% of the collection was digitally scanned under NOAA’s Climate Data Modernization Program.  The topographic maps with flightlines and frame centers was also digitized and serves as a base for access to the scanned photos.

Film scans: Multilens Navigator

A History of Flying and Photography In the Photogrammetry Division of the National Ocean Survey

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NEWS

A comprehensive global mapping of offshore lighting 2/8/2025

A comprehensive global mapping of offshore lighting

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Director Christopher D. Elvidge, Research Associates Tilottama Ghosh, Namrata Chatterjee, and Mikhail Zhizhin, Paul C. Sutton, and Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian present the first comprehensive multiyear global mapping of offshore lighting structures derived from low-light imaging satellite observations collected at night. The sensor is the day–night band (DNB) flown as part of the NASA/NOAA Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). The product merges two operational nighttime light products: VIIRS boat detection (VBD) data and VIIRS cloud-free nighttime light (VNL) data. The two products are spatially complementary, making it possible to fill gaps through a merger.  February 8, 2025.

California Wildfires: Rapid Monitoring of Flames and Damage from Space

California Wildfires: Rapid Monitoring of Flames and Damage from Space

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Researcher Associate Mikhail Zhizhin looks at how the impact of wildfires in California has been both devastating and transformative. Recent reports from major media outlets highlight the escalating scale of destruction, with the Palisade Fire near Malibu and the Pasadena Fire serving as stark examples.  January 13, 2024.

Lights Dim at Giant Russian LNG Construction Facility as Energy Sanctions Bite 11/21/2024

Lights Dim at Giant Russian LNG Construction Facility as Energy Sanctions Bite

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Mikhail Zhizhin contributes to this article about how activity appears to have slumped at Russia’s only construction yard for liquefied natural gas modules, another sign of how Western sanctions are thwarting the country’s ambition to become a top player in this key energy market.  November 21, 2024.

Satellite Data Shows Park Fire Devastation 8/2/2024

Satellite Data Shows Park Fire Devastation

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Mikhail Zhizhin, Communications Associate Kristin Ziv, Senior Research Associate Christopher Elvidge, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about the largest active wildfire in the U.S, the Park Fire in northern California, ignited last Wednesday (the 24th of July) and quickly engulfed more than 360,000 acres – approximately 560 square miles – by Sunday.  As of Monday (29 July), the fire was about 12% contained. Arson has been cited as the cause.  August 2, 2024.  

Satellite Data Reveals Scale and Intensity of Colorado’s Front Range Fires 8/1/2024

Satellite Data Reveals Scale and Intensity of Colorado’s Front Range Fires

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Mikhail Zhizhin, Communications Associate Kristin Ziv, Senior Research Associate Christopher Elvidge, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about the four separate wildfires that have erupted since Monday, July 29, along Colorado’s front range foothills, consuming more than 8,300 acres, and being fought by hundreds of firefighters.  One person has died, and thousands have been forced to evacuate. On Wednesday, July 31, Gov. Jared Polis ordered the deployment of the National Guard to aid in the firefight.  August 1, 2024.

Statistical Review of World Energy 6/26/2024

Statistical Review of World Energy

The Payne Institute Earth Observation Group provided the data for global gas flaring based on our satellite data algorithms for the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy.  The Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy analyses data on world energy markets from the prior year. Previously produced by bp, the Review has been providing timely, comprehensive and objective data to the energy community since 1952.  June 26, 2024.

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