Seeing coronavirus impacts from space: Before-and-after satellite photos
Planet Earth is looking pretty deserted these days as people around the world are sheltering in place and avoiding social contact to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The first cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, were reported in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Chinese officials first said they were monitoring an outbreak on Dec. 31. A few weeks later, Chinese authorities put the city of Wuhan on lockdown — the first of many executive decisions made by world leaders to protect citizens from the deadly disease.
The virus has now spread to more than 166 countries, infecting nearly half a million people and killing more than 20,000. With events and large gatherings banned, businesses closed and governments around the world ordering citizens to "shelter in place," Earth has become so quiet and barren that even satellites can see the changes from orbit. Check out some of the before-and-after views below.
Related: Coronavirus outbreak: Live updates
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (before)
Before-and-after images show China's Wuhan airport before and after the outbreak. This image, taken on Oct. 17, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows planes at the airport, a parking lot filled with cars and a line of cars, buses and traffic dropping off departing travelers or picking up arrivals.
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (after)
A second image, taken on Feb. 25, 2020 — about 2 months after the outbreak started — shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly empty parking lot.
Toll plaza in Wuhan, China (before)
This image shows China's Wuhan toll plaza before and after the outbreak. This first image, taken on Oct. 17, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows a parking lot full of cars next to a wide road full cars waiting to drive through.
Toll plaza in Wuhan, China (after)
This second image, taken on Feb. 25, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly empty plaza.
Wuhan Avenue (before)
A view of China's Wuhan avenue, taken on Oct. 17, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows city streets busy with cars going all directions. The second image, taken on Feb. 25, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly empty city.
Wuhan Avenue (after)
This image of Wuhan avenue, taken on Feb. 25, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly empty city.
Wuhan train station (before)
These images show a look at Wuhan's Dongdamen train station before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Oct. 17, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows a train station void of trains. The second image, taken on Feb. 25, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly full rail yard.
Wuhan train station (after)
These images show a look at Wuhan's Dongdamen train station before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Oct. 17, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows a train station void of trains. The second image, taken on Feb. 25, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly full rail yard.
Wuhan Zhuyeshancun highway (before)
These images show a look at Wuhan's Zhuyeshancun highway before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on April 28, 2017 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows large amounts of traffic on the driveway. The second image, taken on Feb. 25, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly roadway.
Wuhan Zhuyeshancun highway (after)
These images show a look at Wuhan's Zhuyeshancun highway before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on April 28, 2017 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows large amounts of traffic on the driveway. The second image, taken on Feb. 25, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly roadway.
Huoshenshan Hospital site (before)
These images show a look at China's Huoshenshan hospital before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Apr. 28, 2017 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows fields and forests full of trees on the site. The second image, taken on Feb. 22, 2020, shows the impact of China's outbreak, with a fully built hospital facility.
Huoshenshan Hospital (after)
These images show a look at China's Huoshenshan hospital before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Apr. 28, 2017 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows fields and forests full of trees on the site. The second image, taken on Feb. 22, 2020, shows the impact of China's outbreak, with a fully built hospital facility.
Leishenshan Hospital (before)
These images show a look at China's Leishenshan hospital before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Aug. 3, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows an empty parking lot. The second image, taken on Feb. 21, 2020, shows the impact of China's outbreak, with a fully built hospital facility.
Leishenshan Hospital (after)
These images show a look at China's Leishenshan hospital before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Aug. 3, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows an empty parking lot. The second image, taken on Feb. 21, 2020, shows the impact of China's outbreak, with a fully built hospital facility.
Tiananmen Square (before)
These images show a look at Beijing's Tiananmen Square before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 21, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows people walking through the square and traffic driving along the street. The second image, taken on Feb. 11, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly empty square.
Tiananmen Square (after)
These images show a look at Beijing's Tiananmen Square before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 21, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows people walking through the square and traffic driving along the street. The second image, taken on Feb. 11, 2020, shows the impact of China's lockdown, with a nearly empty square.
Tokyo Disneyland (before)
These images show a look at Tokyo Disneyland's Space Mountain before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 1, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows visitors exploring the grounds. The second image, taken on Mar. 1, 2020, shows the impact of Japan's lockdown, with an empty park.
Tokyo Disneyland (after)
These images show a look at Tokyo Disneyland's Space Mountain before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 1, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows visitors exploring the grounds. The second image, taken on Mar. 1, 2020, shows the impact of Japan's lockdown, with an empty park.
Shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh in Qom, Iran (before)
These images show a look at Qom's Hazrat Masumeh Shrine before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Sept. 25, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, crowds of people visiting. The second image, taken on March 1, 2020, shows the impact of Iran's lockdown, with a nearly empty site.
Shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh in Qom, Iran (after)
These images show a look at Qom's Hazrat Masumeh Shrine before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Sept. 25, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, crowds of people visiting. The second image, taken on March 1, 2020, shows the impact of Iran's lockdown, with a nearly empty site.
Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (before)
These images show a look at Tehran's International airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Jan. 11, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows planes at the airport and a parking lot filled with cars. The second image, taken on Feb. 29, 2020, shows the impact of Iran's lockdown, with a nearly empty parking lot.
Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (after)
These images show a look at Tehran's International airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Jan. 11, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows planes at the airport and a parking lot filled with cars. The second image, taken on Feb. 29, 2020, shows the impact of Iran's lockdown, with a nearly empty parking lot.
Milan Cathedral (before)
These images show a look at Duomo di Milano, the cathedral church of Milan, Italy, before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Jan. 22, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows crowds of people in the square. The second image, taken on Mar. 4, 2020, shows the impact of Italy's lockdown, with a nearly empty park.
Milan Cathedral (after)
These images show a look at Duomo di Milano, the cathedral church of Milan, Italy, before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Jan. 22, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows crowds of people in the square. The second image, taken on Mar. 4, 2020, shows the impact of Italy's lockdown, with a nearly empty park.
Milan Cathedral (closeup)
A closer look at the empty plaza outside the Milan Cathedral, captured via Mazar's WorldView satellite on March 17, 2020.
Great Mosque of Mecca (before)
These images show a look at Mecca's Great Mosque and Kaaba before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 14, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows a great many people visiting the site. The second image, taken on March 3, 2020, shows the impact of Saudi Arabia's lockdown, with a nearly empty mosque.
Great Mosque of Mecca (after)
These images show a look at Mecca's Great Mosque and Kaaba before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 14, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows a great many people visiting the site. The second image, taken on March 3, 2020, shows the impact of Saudi Arabia's lockdown, with a nearly empty mosque.
Diamond Princess under quarantine
This image shows a look at the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship during the outbreak. The image, taken on Feb. 20, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows the ship docked in Yokohama, Japan.
NYC's Battery Park (before)
These images show a look at New York City's Battery Park before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Nov. 4, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows crowds of people in the park. The second image, taken on Mar. 11, 2020, shows the impact of New York's lockdown, with a nearly empty park.
NYC's Battery Park (before)
These images show a look at New York City's Battery Park before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Nov. 4, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows crowds of people in the park. The second image, taken on Mar. 11, 2020, shows the impact of New York's lockdown, with a nearly empty park.
Bethesda Fountain in NYC (before)
These images show a look at Bethesda Fountain and Terrace in Central Park before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Nov. 4, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows crowds of people in the park and boats on the water. The second image, taken on Mar. 11, 2020, shows the impact of New York's lockdown, with nearly empty park and lake.
Bethesda Fountain in NYC (after)
These images show a look at Bethesda Fountain and Terrace in Central Park before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Nov. 4, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows crowds of people in the park and boats on the water. The second image, taken on Mar. 11, 2020, shows the impact of New York's lockdown, with nearly empty park and lake.
Vermont ski resort (before)
These images show a look at Vermont's Killington Ski Resort base parking lot before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Jan. 30, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows scores of cars and skiers on the slopes. The second image, taken on Mar. 17, 2020, shows the impact of Vermont's lockdown, with nearly empty parking lot and slopes.
Vermont ski resort (after)
These images show a look at Vermont's Killington Ski Resort base parking lot before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Jan. 30, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows scores of cars and skiers on the slopes. The second image, taken on Mar. 17, 2020, shows the impact of Vermont's lockdown, with nearly empty parking lot and slopes.
Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal (before)
These images show a look at Portugal's Praca do Comercio before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 27, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows groups of tourists in and around the square. The second image, taken on March 17, 2020, shows the impact of Portugal's lockdown, with a nearly empty square.
Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal (after)
These images show a look at Portugal's Praca do Comercio before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 27, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows groups of tourists in and around the square. The second image, taken on March 17, 2020, shows the impact of Portugal's lockdown, with a nearly empty square.
Lisbon International Airport (before)
These images show a look at Lisbon's airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 27, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows a very full airport terminal and runway. The second image, taken on Mar. 17, 2020, shows the impact of Portugal's lockdown, with fewer airplanes.
Lisbon International Airport (after)
These images show a look at Lisbon's airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 27, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows a very full airport terminal and runway. The second image, taken on Mar. 17, 2020, shows the impact of Portugal's lockdown, with fewer airplanes.
Traffic in Moscow, Russia
These images show a look at Moscow Red Square during the outbreak. The images, taken on Mar. 17, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows traffic jams around the square.
Traffic in Moscow, Russia
These images show a look at Moscow Red Square during the outbreak. The images, taken on Mar. 17, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows traffic jams around the square.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (March 5)
These images show a look at Phoenix's airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on March 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows several planes taxiing on the runway. The second image, taken on March 16, 2020, shows the impact of Arizona's lockdown, with a nearly empty runway.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (March 16)
These images show a look at Phoenix's airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on March 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows several planes taxiing on the runway. The second image, taken on March 16, 2020, shows the impact of Arizona's lockdown, with a nearly empty runway.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (March 5)
These images show a look at Phoenix's airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on March 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows several planes taxiing on the runway. The second image, taken on March 16, 2020, shows the impact of Arizona's lockdown, with a nearly empty runway.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (March 16)
These images show a look at Phoenix's airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on March 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows several planes taxiing on the runway. The second image, taken on March 16, 2020, shows the impact of Arizona's lockdown, with a nearly empty runway.
Phoenix airport rental car center (March 5)
These images show a look at Phoenix airport's rental car parking lot before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on March 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows few rental cars remaining. The second image, taken on March 16, 2020, shows the impact of Arizona's lockdown, with a nearly full parking lot.
Phoenix airport rental car center (March 16)
These images show a look at Phoenix airport's rental car parking lot before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on March 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows few rental cars remaining. The second image, taken on March 16, 2020, shows the impact of Arizona's lockdown, with a nearly full parking lot.
Salt Lake City International Airport car rental center (March 5)
These images show a look at Salt Lake City airport's rental car parking lot before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Mar. 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows few rental cars remaining. The second image, taken on Mar. 16, 2020, shows the impact of Utah's lockdown, with a nearly full parking lot.
Salt Lake City International Airport car rental center (March 16)
These images show a look at Salt Lake City airport's rental car parking lot before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Mar. 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows few rental cars remaining. The second image, taken on Mar. 16, 2020, shows the impact of Utah's lockdown, with a nearly full parking lot.
Salt Lake City International Airport terminal (March 5)
These images show a look at Salt Lake City's airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Mar. 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows several planes at the airport. The second image, taken on Mar. 16, 2020, shows the impact of Utah's lockdown, with nearly empty terminals.
Salt Lake City International Airport terminal (March 16)
These images show a look at Salt Lake City's airport before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Mar. 5, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows several planes at the airport. The second image, taken on Mar. 16, 2020, shows the impact of Utah's lockdown, with nearly empty terminals.
Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Iran (Feb. 14)
These images show a look at Iran's Shrine of Imam-Reza before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 14, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows many people in the courtyards around the shrine The second image, taken on March 12, 2020, shows the impact of Iran's lockdown, with a nearly empty temple.
Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Iran (March 12)
These images show a look at Iran's Shrine of Imam-Reza before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Feb. 14, 2020 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows many people in the courtyards around the shrine The second image, taken on March 12, 2020, shows the impact of Iran's lockdown, with a nearly empty temple.
New York Harbor (before)
These images show a look at New York's Statue of Liberty before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Nov. 4, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows groups of tourists strolling around Ellis Island. The second image, taken on March 11, 2020, shows the impact of New York's lockdown, with a nearly empty island.
New York Harbor (March 11)
These images show a look at New York's Statue of Liberty before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Nov. 4, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows groups of tourists strolling around Ellis Island. The second image, taken on March 11, 2020, shows the impact of New York's lockdown, with a nearly empty island.
Wollman Skating Rink, New York City (before)
These images show a look at Wollman ice rink in New York's Central Park before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Nov. 4, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows people skating on the ice and people spending time in the surrounding park. The second image, taken on March 11, 2020, shows the impact of New York's lockdown, with an empty ice rink and nearly street.
Wollman Skating Rink, New York City (March 11)
These images show a look at Wollman ice rink in New York's Central Park before and after the outbreak. The first image, taken on Nov. 4, 2019 by Maxar's WorldView satellite, shows people skating on the ice and people spending time in the surrounding park. The second image, taken on March 11, 2020, shows the impact of New York's lockdown, with an empty ice rink and nearly street.
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Christine Lunsford joined the Space.com team in 2010 as a freelance producer and later became a contributing writer, covering astrophotography images, astronomy photos and amazing space galleries and more. During her more than 10 years with Space.com, oversaw the site's monthly skywatching updates and produced overnight features and stories on the latest space discoveries. She enjoys learning about subjects of all kinds.
