2nd European Workshop on
Artificial Nighttime Light Remote Sensing
12 - 15 October 2026 | ESA-ESRIN | Frascati (Rome), Italy
2nd European Workshop on Artificial Nighttime Light Remote Sensing
This international workshop will bring together scientists, engineers, and other stake holders interested in artificial nighttime lighting to discuss measurement techniques, applications across the wide range of domains, and potential societal benefits.
Background
Most life on Earth’s is attuned with the natural cycle of day and night. Humans heavily altered this cycle with the advent of electricity and the industrial revolution which led to prosperity and even more rapid technological advancements due to economic activities no longer being limited to daytime. Artificial nighttime lighting (NTL) across the optical spectral range leads to direct illumination and sky brightening. NTL is mostly associated with human settlements and industrial complexes, including offshore oil drilling platforms or land/water/air transportation infrastructure. On the one hand, artificial illumination of the nighttime has brought enormous societal benefits but on the other hand, there is increasing evidence and growing awareness among the public that NTL has a substantial negative impact on human health and the natural environment.
Observing NTL from space and mapping NTL systematically allows collecting data for a plethora of applications for scientists and for relevant stakeholders vetting threats and opportunities applicable to a range of topics ranging from environmental sciences, via socio-economic benefits, to health impacts to safety and resilience.
Objectives
The specific objectives for the NTL Workshop are:
- Provide an overview of science and applications related to artificial nighttime lighting.These applications comprise – but are not limited to – fundamental science addressing ecosystems and biodiversity, weather forecasting, the environment, economy, security and resilience, and human health.
- Assess the state of the art of nighttime optical remote sensing. Provide an overview of the available observations including measurements from satellites (e.g. from the Day-Night Band of the VIIRS instrument), the ISS, aircraft or drones. Presentations will also address dedicated nighttime acquisitions, e.g. made by Sentinel-2&3, CO3D, EnMap and Landsat.
- Identify the gaps in the global observation system and discuss applications and their key observational requirements. Areas for scientific and technological developments will be highlighted and formulated along with their scientific and technological challenges needing to be assessed.
- Provide an overview of available technologies and opportunities for nighttime optical remote sensing measurements including existing and future satellites and potential future airborne campaigns.
The outcome of the workshop is to provide guidance to ESA on future research and technology developments. Following a successful workshop, a white paper will be drafted including a roadmap towards future missions that will integrate a nighttime optical acquisition capacity.
We look forward to seeing you in ESRIN, Frascati, Italy.
Calendar of Events
| Events | Date |
| Workshop Public Announcement | 15
May 2026 |
| Opening of Registration and Abstract Portal | 20 July 2026 |
| Abstract Portal Closure | 10 September 2026 |
| Notification of Acceptance | 17 September 2026 |
| Publication of Draft Program | 24 September 2026 |
Registration closed / Final Program public | 1 October 2026 |
Programme at a glance
The draft programme will be published on 24 September.
Scientific and Organising Committee
| Organising Committee | Scientific Committee |
| Coming soon |
Abstract Submission
Technical Notice
We are currently experiencing technical issues with the abstract submission platform. We are working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. Once the issue has been fixed, the abstract submission link will be published on this page.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Abstracts of original presentations are solicited for inclusion in the workshop programme.
To facilitate the submission process and subsequent follow-up process, please consider the following guidelines, information and deadlines:
Abstracts should be submitted by 10 September 2026, 12:00 noon CEST via an online submission tool. The following information has to be provided during the submission:
Principle author or contact person to provide full name and contact information.
Author(s) to indicate their preferred presentation type (oral or poster).
Author(s) to indicate proposed topic(s) - see section "Topics" (more than 1 possible)
Author(s) to provide full name and affiliation
Abstracts are to be written in plain text and should not include tables, figures, or photographs.
Submission of an abstract acknowledges your acceptance for the abstract to be published in the workshop program.
Abstract title - title has no word limit
Abstract text - must be between 250 and 350 words
Notifications of acceptance will be sent on 17 September 2026.
Registration
There is no registration fee for attending the workshop.
The registration portal will open on 20 July 2026 at the following link: Registration Portal
The deadline to register is 1 October 2026.
When registering, lunch tickets can be bought for the restaurant at ESRIN. These tickets are non-refundable. It is also possible to pay lunch on site.
Travel and Accomodation
ESA-ESRIN
Largo Galileo Galilei, 1
00044 Frascati (RM)
Italy
COURTESY TRANSPORT:
During the Workshop, a free shuttle bus service will be offered from Frascati to ESA-ESRIN and from ESA-ESRIN to Frascati centre.
The pick-up and drop-off point will be at Piazza Guglielmo Marconi.
The timetable will be communicated closer to the event.
ACCOMODATION:
Please find below a list of suggested hotels in the centre of Frascati. Rooms can be booked upon availability by contacting the hotels directly:
| Hotel Name | Contact email | Phone number | Walking distance from Frascati P.zza Marconi |
| Hotel Bellavista Frascati | +39 06 5416304 | 2 minutes | |
| Hotel Cacciani | hotel@cacciani.it | +39 06 942 03 78 | 3 minutes |
| Hotel Flora | +39 06 9416110 | 4 minutes | |
| Hotel Colonna | +39 06 9401 8088 | 4 minutes | |
| Hotel Villa Mercede | +39 06 9929 1979 | 15 minutes (we suggest to request the shuttle service at the Hotel Reception or to book a taxi) | |
| Grand Hotel Villa Tuscolana | +39 06 942 900 | 23 minutes (we suggest to book a taxi) | |
| Park Hotel Villa Grazioli | +39 06 945400 | 26 minutes (we suggest to book a taxi) | |
| Domus Park Hotel | +39 06 200 0100 | 29 minutes (we suggest to book a taxi) |
Contacts
For information regarding the submissions, author instructions, scientific committee related inquiries please contact events.organisation@esa.int.
Should you need a VISA Invitation Letter, please contact events.organisation@esa.int.
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