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Hadfield on Earth Hour: ‘When we turn our lights down, nature lights up the sky’

A collection of city snaps from the International Space Station

Chris Hadfield on Earth Hour: ‘When we turn our lights down, nature lights up the sky’

To mark Earth Hour, a collection of city snaps from the International Space Station

Storified by Maclean’s Magazine· Sat, Mar 23 2013 20:36:43

Good Morning, Earth! I’ll try and photograph people’s efforts during Eartrh Hour today. It’s our planet, let’s each help a bit.Chris Hadfield
As it turns out, orbital mechanics don’t support seeing lights out efforts. But a richness of "before" night photos coming for inspiration.Chris Hadfield
Boston, Massachusetts. Everyone down there prepared to shine a little less brightly for an hour? <a href="http://t.co/CKufTVooAW" class="">pic.twitter.com/CKufTVooAW</a>Chris Hadfield
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the lights of the city piercing through the clouds. <a href="http://t.co/IDhikg3bEg" class="">pic.twitter.com/IDhikg3bEg</a>Chris Hadfield
New York City, lit up like a bulb. The Statue of Liberty is clearly visible in the night from above. <a href="http://t.co/6ws3CTLx5P" class="">pic.twitter.com/6ws3CTLx5P</a>Chris Hadfield
Chicago, a bright spot on the tip of Lake Michigan, glowing through the clouds. <a href="http://t.co/ozMHff9OZb" class="">pic.twitter.com/ozMHff9OZb</a>Chris Hadfield
Detroit and Windsor, where Michigan meets Ontario. Spiderwebs of light expanding out from the dark river border. <a href="http://t.co/9trq3m7OZK" class="">pic.twitter.com/9trq3m7OZK</a>Chris Hadfield
Las Vegas, with the Strip distinctly standing out from the rest of the city, even from orbit. <a href="http://t.co/lJVGC1lzGw" class="">pic.twitter.com/lJVGC1lzGw</a>Chris Hadfield
San Francisco and the whole Bay Area. Taken at an angle, it is easy to see the entire layout of the bay by night. <a href="http://t.co/7CMf4C9OfW" class="">pic.twitter.com/7CMf4C9OfW</a>Chris Hadfield
Baltimore, Maryland, bright and clear. The major landmarks of the city all shining up through the night. <a href="http://t.co/j3CqEqay8t" class="">pic.twitter.com/j3CqEqay8t</a>Chris Hadfield
Christchurch, NZ, taken just after Earth Hour ended. The perfect grid system of the downtown core is clearly visible. <a href="http://t.co/KSHzByT5SS" class="">pic.twitter.com/KSHzByT5SS</a>Chris Hadfield
Tonight’s Finale: Dawn sneaking in under the Northern Lights. When we turn our lights down, nature lights up the sky. <a href="http://t.co/GyFmRcxzhg" class="">pic.twitter.com/GyFmRcxzhg</a>Chris Hadfield

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