Time series formation based on VIIRS 24h data

Satellite images taken in the night (a.k.a night lights) have been extensively used as a proxy for economic activity and urbanization. The recent Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data available every 24h open up a new domain of applications i.e. monitoring the function of the city. A method is needed however in order to remove lunar illumination that is different in each night so to form a meaningful time series, free of noise. A method is proposed here and tested in several case studies. It is found to perform acceptably with minimum input and processing requirements.