Delhi shines from space: ISS captures dazzling night images of World’s brightest cities

A quiet night above Earth has offered a bright surprise. The International Space Station released new night photographs that show cities shining like patterned lamps below.

How does Delhi appear from orbit at night?
The ISS shared an image of Delhi glowing strongly. The photo was taken at around 10:54 pm from nearly 400 kilometres above Earth. The city’s lights form a dense spread across the region. The Yamuna River cuts through the centre and creates a dark line. A bright rectangle marks Indira Gandhi International Airport near the right-centre area. ISS officials wrote on X that Delhi remains one of the most luminous cities seen from orbit. Their alt text notes Delhi holds nearly 34.67 million people and ranks second in size after Tokyo.

Which other cities feature in the new ISS series?
Another image highlights Singapore beside Johor Bahru across the Johor Strait. A separate picture shows Japan with Tokyo glowing along the Tokyo Bay coast. Each city forms a clear pattern shaped by streets and buildings. The ISS says these centres remain visible because of dense lighting.

How did people react to the shared photographs?
One viewer asked how Delhi stays luminous despite pollution. Another said the scene felt like a moment from a science-fiction film. One user wrote they could spot their own road on the map. The ISS recently marked continuous human presence aboard the station since early long-duration missions. The station was designed between 1984 and 1993 with support from the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe.