Night Pictures

What is it that's so breathtaking about pictures of cities at night? Is it the glow? It's artificial, so perhaps there's a titch of trash about it, a carny-like patina.
Maybe it's a bit of awe about all that defiance of nature's darkness?
Whatever it is, I find city night photos fascinating.
Cheers,
Vanessa
PS some of them aren't of cities, but they're equally as splendid!