The International Space Station (ISS) has shared breathtaking images of Earth at night, revealing some of the brightest urban centers in the world. These spectacular visuals highlight cities illuminated by street lights, buildings, and infrastructure, creating mesmerizing patterns visible even from space.

🌆 Delhi Shines Bright From Space

One image captures Delhi, India’s capital, glowing vividly at night. The photograph, taken around 10:54 PM, shows intricate patterns of light formed by streets, buildings, and highways. The Yamuna River, flowing through the city from north to south, is clearly visible, dividing the urban landscape.

A bright rectangular patch identifies Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of South Asia’s busiest airports. According to the image description, Delhi is home to approximately 34.67 million people, making it the second-largest metropolitan area in the world after Tokyo.

🌏 Other Luminous Cities Captured

The ISS also shared images of:

• Singapore – clearly separated from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, by the Johor Strait

• Tokyo, Japan – including suburban areas along Tokyo Bay

• São Paulo, Brazil – showcasing bright urban sprawl

These cities rank among the most luminous urban centers on Earth, visible from orbit due to extensive lighting infrastructure.

📲 Social Media Reactions to ISS Images

The images quickly went viral on social media, with users sharing awe and fascination:

• “Delhi is still luminous despite pollution?” – @Mathonymics

• “Really marvelous. Feels like a Sci-Fi movie emerging from Earth.” – @HarshAgar102008

• “I can even point my road in Delhi on the map. It’s so beautiful!” – @shubhamSen17818

The images demonstrate not only urban brightness but also the scale and density of human settlements.

🚀 ISS Milestones and Global Collaboration

The ISS orbits Earth at approximately 400 kilometers, providing a unique vantage point for observing global city lights. On November 2, 2025, the station celebrated a historic milestone, marking continuous human presence onboard for several years.

The ISS was designed and built between 1984 and 1993, with collaboration from multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, and European nations. It remains a symbol of international cooperation and scientific achievement.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Delhi, Singapore, Tokyo, and São Paulo are among the brightest cities visible from space.

• The ISS images highlight urban density, infrastructure, and night-time illumination.

• These visuals inspire scientific curiosity, urban planning insights, and appreciation for Earth’s human-made lights.