Extending the DMSP Nighttime Lights Time Series beyond 2013

Data collected by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) sensors have been archived and processed Earth Observation Group (EOG) at National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to make global maps of nighttime images since 1994. Over years, EOG has developed automatic algorithms Stable Lights composites from OLS visible band data removing transient lights fires fishing boats. The ephemeral are removed based on their high brightness short duration. However, six original satellites collecting DMSP gradually shifted day/night orbit dawn/dusk orbit, which is an earlier overpass time. At beginning 2014, F18 satellite was no longer usable data, focus had processing Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) data. Nevertheless, it soon discovered that F15 F16 started pre-dawn 2012 onwards. Therefore, established previous years were extended process 2013 Moreover, existence three times for year 2013–DMSP early evening pre-dawn, respectively, VIIRS after midnight, made possible intercalibrate different study diurnal pattern lights.