DurÂing his time on the InterÂnaÂtionÂal Space StaÂtion (ISS), astroÂnaut Don PetÂtit endeared himÂself to me in two ways. First, he inventÂed a handy-dandy “zero‑g cofÂfee cup” that lets you drink cofÂfee in space withÂout using a straw — someÂthing we’ll all hopeÂfulÂly use one day. Next, between 2002 and 2008, he took some strikÂing images of great cities and their lights shinÂing at night. The openÂing minÂutes explain how the shots were actuÂalÂly takÂen. Then, at the 1:45 mark, the tour begins. Zurich, Milan, Madrid, Athens, LonÂdon, Cairo (includÂing the PyraÂmids), Jerusalem, MecÂca, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, San FranÂcisÂco, Las Vegas (the brightÂest spot on earth) — they’re all includÂed on the tour.
PetÂtit narÂrates the entire video. And, along the way, he takes care to underÂscore an interÂestÂing point — each culÂture creÂates its cities in its own way, using difÂferÂentÂly geoÂgraphÂic layÂouts and techÂnoloÂgies. Those difÂferÂences we can see on the ground from one perÂspecÂtive, and from outÂer space from yet anothÂer vanÂtage point.
RelatÂed ConÂtent:
Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains What HapÂpens If You Fall into a Black Hole
The AuroÂra BoreÂalis Viewed from Orbit (and What CreÂates Those NorthÂern Lights?)
What a HurÂriÂcane Looks Like From OutÂer Space