Flaring And Those Satellite Views -- Another Look

Remember all those satellite shots of northwest North Dakota suggesting that flaring was the reason for all the "hot spots"? So, another look.

From the NASA Earth Observatory website, comes this interesting bit of trivia:

On November 12, 2012, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite captured this nighttime view of widespread drilling throughout the area. Most of the bright specks are lights associated with drilling equipment and temporary housing near drilling sites, though a few are evidence of gas flaring. Some of the brighter areas correspond to towns and cities including Williston, Minot, and Dickinson. 

I assume it would be too much to ask to have this checked out at Snopes.com. 

If any one has driven by an active rig at night, one would be amazed at the amount of light on site: the entire pad is lit up like Times Square on New Year's Eve. It is really quite a sight, and something everyone should get a chance to see. Certainly as awe-inspiring as seeing a giant sequoia.