Articles | Volume 18, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-3449-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-3449-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Data description article
| 
21 May 2026
Data description article |
| 21 May 2026
| 21 May 2026
A temporally consistent global 500 m-resolution monthly VIIRS-like nighttime light dataset (1992–2024)
Hongquan Cheng
Pengcheng Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Mengqing Geng
College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Xuecao Li
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Second correspondence author
Shijie Li
Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Chen Lin
Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Jie Wang
Pengcheng Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
Peng Gong
Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Yuyu Zhou
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
SRT AI, Society & Social Dynamics, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
First correspondence author
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Short summary
Monthly records of nighttime light are scarce, especially over long periods, yet they are vital for tracking short-term economic shifts and seasonal urban change. This study provides a temporally consistent global 500 m-resolution monthly VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite)-like nighttime light dataset (1992–2024). By combining DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) and VIIRS through reconstruction and correction, a consistent long-term record is created. The dataset supports improved analysis of urban growth and economic activity worldwide.
Monthly records of nighttime light are scarce, especially over long periods, yet they are vital...
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