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

Nightsat

Nightsat is a concept for a satellite system capable of global observation of the location, form and density of development within human settlements at moderate spatial resolution. The capability has been demonstrated by Austronaut Donald Pettit and others from the International Space Station.

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NEWS

Months after Pemex gas well accident in Mexico, health and pollution concerns grow 7/31/2026

Months after Pemex gas well accident in Mexico, health and pollution concerns grow

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Mikhail Zhizhin contributed to this article about how nearly five months after an accident ignited a fire at a natural gas well in rural Veracruz, Mexico, residents are growing ​increasingly concerned about potential health and environmental impacts as large volumes ‌of gas continue to burn.  July 31, 2026.

Spatial Distribution of Active Fires in Central and Eastern Spain, and in Southwestern France 7/29/2026

Spatial Distribution of Active Fires in Central and Eastern Spain, and in Southwestern France

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Tilottama Ghosh writes about how VIIRS Nightfire satellite observations from July 27th, 2026, effectively identify active combustion sources over large geographic areas, enabling the simultaneous monitoring of multiple wildfire events.  July 29, 2026.

Wildfires in the Pacific Northwest 7/29/2026

Wildfires in the Pacific Northwest

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Tilottama Ghosh writes about how recent VNF satellite detections from July 27, 2026, reveal widespread thermal anomalies associated with active wildfires across the Pacific Northwest, where severe drought, heat, and lightning have ignited over 1.5 million acres.  July 29, 2026.

Crimea Blackout Seen from VIIRS Nighttime Lights

Crimea Blackout Seen from VIIRS Nighttime Lights

Payne Institute Research Associate Mikhail Zhizhin and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how the VIIRS DNB detected a clear nighttime-light loss in southwestern Crimea, strongest on the night of July 5–6 UTC, centered on the Sevastopol–Simferopol focus area.  July 9, 2026.

Ras Laffan LNG Thermal Profiles Suggest an Operational Shift at Multiple Trains 4/10/2026

Ras Laffan LNG Thermal Profiles Suggest an Operational Shift at Multiple Trains

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Mikhail Zhizhin and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how a new VIIRS Nightfire analysis indicates that several sources in the Ras Laffan LNG cluster may contain both compressor and flare emissions within a single satellite pixel, with March 2026 observations pointing to a possible change in operating regime.  April 10, 2026.

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