NASA has confirmed that holiday lights make the Earth glow brighter, a phenomenon that can be observed from space.
Using advanced satellite technology, researchers have tracked how light intensity changes during major festive seasons, such as Christmas, New Year's, and Ramadan.
Holiday Lights from Space: US Cities Glow 50% Brighter During Festive Season
Through data collected by the Suomi NPP satellite from 2012 to 2014, scientists observed that cities across the United States became 20% to 50% brighter during the holiday season, EarthObservatory reported.
This increase is most noticeable in suburban areas, where homes with yards create more opportunities for elaborate light displays. In contrast, urban centers showed a smaller increase, ranging from 20% to 30%.
Cities like Washington, DC, Atlanta, and Los Angeles were among those that lit up the most, while suburban regions around Dallas, Houston, and Sacramento also showed significant brightness increases.
The satellite's imaging technology, capable of detecting even dim light sources, revealed that the glow begins around Thanksgiving and peaks during the last weeks of December.
Beyond the United States, similar lighting patterns were observed in other parts of the world. For instance, cities in the Middle East became up to 100% brighter during Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia, cities like Riyadh and Jeddah exhibited the most dramatic changes.
These findings highlight how different cultures celebrate their holidays with nighttime illumination.
How Festive Lights Reflect Shared Cultural Traditions
NASA's research used an advanced algorithm to filter out natural light sources, such as moonlight and clouds, ensuring accurate measurements of artificial light.
This data helps scientists better understand global energy use, urban development, and the environmental impact of holiday traditions.
According to NASA scientist Miguel Román, the increase in holiday lighting reflects a shared cultural tradition, uniting communities regardless of religious or ethnic differences.
The suburbs typically shine brighter due to the space available for decorations, while dense urban centers experience smaller increases.
Interestingly, the study also noted variations within states and regions. While most cities showed a clear uptick in holiday lights, places like Miami displayed minimal changes.
According to Business Insider, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, although not as bright as mainland US cities, still saw their capital cities light up during December.
These glowing holiday patterns demonstrate how celebrations bring light to our homes and the planet as a whole. NASA's findings underline the widespread joy of festive seasons, creating a spectacle visible even from space.
