Satellite Image of India during Diwali - Facts Analysis

Story:

Satellite Image of India during Diwali Night “festival of lights.”

Analysis:

This message in various forms went viral in India during the occasion of festive season of Diwali. The message comes with a picture showing satellite image of India map on a regular day, followed by the same during Diwali night, appearing bright and colorful throughout. However, the message is not a fact.

Picture: Composite Satellite view of India at night: Change in night illumination during the period 1992-2003 — Composite Satellite view of India at night: Change in night illumination during the period 1992-2003

The bright and colorful satellite image claimed as map of India during Diwali night has got nothing do with Diwali. The image in question is put up by National Geophysical Data Centre of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA and is actually a composite satellite view of India at night, showing the change in night illumination during the period 1992-2003. The original image is shown in the image section below. Satellite data from the year 1992 is shown in blue color, 1998 green colored, and that in 2003 is colored red. This stunning composite satellite image of India at night was developed by NASA so as to illustrate the increasing population of India over the years. You can learn more about this satellite picture from the reference section below.

Satellite Image: Nighttime view of Southern Asia

Therefore, the picture shown is not a satellite image of India during Diwali night. The message need not be shared. However, NASA has recently released a satellite image of India during Diwali night, as taken on November 12, 2012. The last picture in the image section shows the same.