The International Space Station (ISS) has released a striking set of nighttime photographs showing some of the world’s brightest and largest cities glowing under the night sky. The images, shared on X, highlight Delhi, Singapore, Tokyo, and Sao Paulo as seen from space.
Cities like Delhi, Singapore, Tokyo, and São Paulo are among the most luminous urban centers seen from the International Space Station at night. pic.twitter.com/JAfqr4PPTs
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) November 20, 2025
Delhi Nighttime Image by ISS Looks Dazzling
Delhi appears as one of the brightest regions in the new photos. The ISS stated, “Cities like Delhi, Singapore, Tokyo, and Sao Paulo are among the most luminous urban centres seen from the International Space Station at night.”
The description of Delhi’s photo read, “India’s National Capital Territory of Delhi, home to approximately 34.67 million people, is the second-largest metropolitan area in the world after Tokyo.”
The ISS added, “This nighttime view from the International Space Station, taken at approximately 10:54 p.m. local time, shows the city split by the Yamuna River. The bright rectangular area near the right centre marks Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in South Asia.”
The lights stretch across the landscape, forming a detailed and complex pattern that reflects the city’s dense population and rapid growth.
ISS Shares Stunning Images of Singapore, Tokyo & Sao Paulo
Alongside Delhi, the ISS posted an image of Singapore. The picture shows the city-state separated from Johor Bahru in Malaysia by the Johor Strait. Another image captures Tokyo and its surrounding suburbs around Tokyo Bay.
The glowing clusters of light highlight Japan’s vast urban sprawl. Sao Paulo, one of the largest cities in South America, also appeared brightly illuminated in the night sky.
Social Media Reacts: Users Spot Their Neighbourhoods
The photos quickly went viral, with social media users posting excited reactions. One person wrote, “Delhi is still luminous with all that pollution?” Another user said, “I can even point out my road in the Delhi map. It’s so beautiful.”
“The first one is Delhi, I can clearly spot it,” another commented. Many users said the images made them view their cities in a new light—literally from space.
ISS Marks 25 Years of Human Presence
These photographs came shortly after the ISS celebrated a major milestone on November 2—25 years of continuous human presence in space. The station was built with contributions from the United States, Canada, Japan, and European partners. Since November 2000, astronauts have lived and worked on the ISS without interruption.
Almost 300 visitors from 26 countries have been aboard the station. Over the years, the ISS has supported thousands of scientific experiments focused on improving life on Earth and advancing future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Satellite Imagery as a Mirror of Urban Growth
Experts say nighttime satellite images not only highlight city beauty but also help track urban expansion, energy use, and environmental changes.
Delhi’s intense luminosity mirrors its rapid growth, increased energy consumption, and expanding metro region. Similar patterns are visible in Tokyo and Sao Paulo, showing how major cities evolve as global megacities.
