NASA Satellite Assembles Map of Fires Across 12 Years

NASA has, among other devices in space, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer. It’s on two satellites, one going north to south and the other south to north. It’s essentially scanning the surface of the Earth for radiation.

It’s very useful scientific data, but it also lets NASA put together neat things. Like, for example, this map of every single fire that its detected since 2000.

What’s neat about this map is that it shows human migration patterns in detail, and how these nomadic tendencies in our species have endured to the modern day. The pattern takes a pretty consistent drift, and is notably different in the Western world compared to other spots on the globe.

It also shows how, despite all our technology, so many of us are still dependent on a pile of wood or moss being ignited to survive. It’s not the only reason to fund NASA, but it’s a useful reminder of human frailty.

Besides, fire good.

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