English: Most metropolitan areas of the western United States are spread over large areas with regular street grid patterns that are highly recognizable from space (particularly at night). The northern Dallas metro area in Texas exhibits this pattern in this astronaut photograph from the International Space Station.

The north-south and east-west grid of major streets is highlighted by orange lighting, which lends a fishnet-like appearance to the urban area. Smaller residential and commercial buildings give green-gray stipple patterns to some blocks. The airplane terminals of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport are lit with golden-yellow lights and surrounded by relatively dark runways and fields. Likewise, the runways of Dallas Love Field are recognizable by their darkness.

Other dark areas within the metro region are open space, parks, and water bodies. Larger commercial areas, as well as public and industrial facilities, appear as brilliantly lit regions and points.