Earth From Space Photos

A Smithsonian exhibit entitled "Earth From Space" portrays satellite images of Earth, from natural features to man-made structures. The exhibit debuted at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and is touring cities around the country through 2010. (See itinerary) Here are some of the photos.

Night Lights

Streetlights are the source of most of the light seen in this image, but petroleum fires also contribute. A dark blue layer was added to the image to show where land masses are located. European cities are especially bright, and in Egypt lights glitter along the Nile. Such images have been used to estimate global urban populations. - Read Exhibit Review

Giza Pyramids

This is a satellite zoom view of the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, which were constructed around 2500 B.C. as monumental tombs. The myth that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made object that can be seen from space is not true. - Try a History of Egypt Quiz

Lena River Delta

The Lena River flows north for more than 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) through Russian Siberia to the Arctic Ocean. As the river enters the Laptev Sea, it divides into many channels to form a biologically rich delta. Such images help determine the extent of wetland vegetation. - Map of Russia

Downtown San Francisco

San Francisco became the transportation hub of northern California after gold was discovered about 100 miles inland in 1848. Here, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is visible as it crosses San Francisco Bay, one of the world's great natural harbors. Detailed high-resolution images show networks of streets, densely packed buildings, and lines of automobiles. - Map of San Francisco