The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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This image was taken by ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti from the International Space Station. She commented: “Forgot where I took this picture. Very distinct pretty lines of light – looks familiar to anyone? #HelpRequired”
Astronauts can set their cameras to take pictures automatically while they work on experiments, so they do not always know themselves – and computer programmes cannot help.
Helping astronauts find what they photographed can be fun but it also helps researchers investigating light pollution – unnecessary lights that shine upwards instead of guiding our way at night.
A large database of pictures of cities at night taken from above offers a wealth of information if correctly identified. Researchers can chart the development of street lighting over time and compare it with other sources of information such as energy consumption or populations of night animals.
Find out how you can help and improve your geography knowledge with the Cities at Night project.
This image has been identified as Damman in Saudi Arabia. The King Abdulaziz Seaport extending into the Perisan Gulf top-right is a distinctive clue.
Follow Samantha for more wonderful images of Earth and space via samanthacristoforetti.esa.int