Lonely planet

Social distancing from space: Five satellite images show a lonely Earth due to COVID-19

These once popular spots are now completely bare.

by Passant Rabie

Shutterstock

Life in the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping our world.

So much so that you can see the evidence of the impact of measures like social distancing and isolation from space.

NASA

Inverse used satellite images released by technologies company Maxar to see how quarantined world looks.

The photos compare scenes in November 2019 to ones in March 2020.

5. Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, NYC

Toshi Sasaki/Photodisc/Getty Images

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park is usually swarming with people. But as of March 18, 2020, the fountain is nearly devoid of life.

Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies
4. Milan, Italy

seng chye teo/Moment Unreleased/Getty Images

Milan's Cathedral in Italy is normally a tourist hotspot, filled with crowds of people. As of March 18, there was no one crowding the cathedral square.

Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.
3. Wollman Rink, Central Park, NYC

RBL/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images

The Wollman Rink in Central Park is usually open for skaters from October to April, where it also hosts ice hockey games, skating schools and figure skating events.

But not this year.

Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.
2. Killington Ski Resort, Vermont

Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.

The Killington Ski Resort halted the ski season early this year, closing down on March 15 in order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.
1. Moscow, Russia
Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.

Vlad Ruin / EyeEm/EyeEm/Getty Images

The bustling streets of Moscow, Russia are known to have the worst traffic jams in the world. But today, the city streets appear almost empty.

Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.