Just how big is the Eagle Ford Shale development? Well, it’s big enough to show up as its own constellation in satellite photos this week from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Arching like an inverted eyebrow below San Antonio, it lights up like a comet running southeast of Austin down to just above Laredo.

It’s one thing to drive through sections of the Eagle Ford, as when crossing from Beeville to San Antonio, but it’s impressive to see the scope of it lit up at night from space. Keep in mind that most of these communities wouldn’t have likely shown up in night photos as recently as 2008. Now the region is aglow with rigs and production facilities.

That’s something at which both to marvel and remind us to be cautious with our region’s ecology, roads and management. This is a life-changing moment in South Texas. We must move wisely to make sure the benefits outweigh the negatives.

For there’s no denying everything is changing. It’s as plain as a light in the dark sky. – Jeff Latcham