scholarly journals The Night Sky Monitoring Network in Hong Kong

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 740-740
Author(s):  
Chun S. J. Pun ◽  
Chu W. So ◽  
Chung F. T. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Land Usage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Hong Kong Sar ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

AbstractThe Night Sky Monitoring Network is a project that aims to study the extent, distribution, and properties of the light pollution condition in the populous metropolis of Hong Kong. Continuous measurements of the Night Sky Brightness (NSB) at strategically chosen locations that cover a wide range of population density and land usage were made, with over 2.5 million NSB readings collected in 18 months up to June 2012. Results from the project are presented, with focus on the contrast between the urban and rural night sky profiles, and light pollution contributions from artificial lightings. This project is supported by the Environment and Conservation Fund of the Hong Kong SAR government (ECF 10/2009, ECF 1/2007).

scholarly journals Measurements of Night Sky Brightness in the Veneto Region of Italy: Sky Quality Meter Network Results and Differential Photometry by Digital Single Lens Reflex

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Bertolo ◽  
Renata Binotto ◽  
Sergio Ortolani ◽  
Simone Sapienza
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Veneto Region ◽  
First Results ◽  
Differential Photometry ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
The University ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

In this paper, we present the implementation of a monitoring network for artificial light at night (ALAN), based on Sky Quality Meter devices (SQM) installed in seven locations of the Veneto region. The system is coordinated by the Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA-Veneto) and the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Padova, in collaboration with a local dark-sky association, Venetostellato. A new centralized database containing zenith night sky brightness (NSB) data was implemented to collect data from all SQM stations of the regional territory, not only in real time (since 2017), but in some stations since 2011. We now have a dataset to determine how light pollution is affecting astronomical observatories. A WEB portal was created to offer different downloads from these NSB data. We present the results of some elaborations for the 2018 dataset (statistics, histograms, annual and cumulative plots) for seven monitoring sites. For Ekar and Pennar sites, we also present the NSB monthly trend from 2014 until the time of the study. We purchased a reflex camera with a fish eye lens, appropriately calibrated with the software (SW) Sky Quality Camera, which allowed us to study ALAN using differential photometry. Here, we present our first results obtained by studying the night evolution of light pollution in the urban location of Padova.

scholarly journals Night sky brightness monitoring network in Wuxi, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 258 ◽  
pp. 107219
Author(s):  
Hengtao Cui ◽  
Junru Shen ◽  
Yuxuan Huang ◽  
Xinrong Shen ◽  
Chu Wing So ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

scholarly journals Evidence That Reduced Air and Road Traffic Decreased Artificial Night-Time Skyglow during COVID-19 Lockdown in Berlin, Germany

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3412
Author(s):  
Andreas Jechow ◽  
Franz Hölker
Keyword(s):  
Road Traffic ◽  
Satellite Image ◽  
Color Temperature ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

Artificial skyglow, the brightening of the night sky by artificial light at night that is scattered back to Earth within the atmosphere, is detrimental to astronomical observations and has an impact on ecosystems as a form of light pollution. In this work, we investigated the impact of the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the urban skyglow of Berlin, Germany. We compared night sky brightness and correlated color temperature (CCT) measurements obtained with all-sky cameras during the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 with data from March 2017. Under normal conditions, we expected an increase in night sky brightness (or skyglow, respectively) and CCT because of the transition to LED. This is supported by a measured CCT shift to slightly higher values and a time series analysis of night-time light satellite data showing an increase in artificial light emission in Berlin. However, contrary to this observation, we measured a decrease in artificial skyglow at zenith by 20% at the city center and by more than 50% at 58 km distance from the center during the lockdown. We assume that the main cause for the reduction of artificial skyglow originates from improved air quality due to less air and road traffic, which is supported by statistical data and satellite image analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported impact of COVID-19 on artificial skyglow and we conclude that air pollution should shift more into the focus of light pollution research.

scholarly journals Circalunar variations of the night sky brightness – an FFT perspective on the impact of light pollution

2019 ◽  
Vol 492 (2) ◽  
pp. 2622-2637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Puschnig ◽  
Stefan Wallner ◽  
Thomas Posch
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Fourier Transforms ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
Pollution Impacts ◽  
Seasonal Signal ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

ABSTRACT Circa-monthly activity conducted by moonlight is observed in many species on Earth. Given the vast amount of artificial light at night (ALAN) that pollutes large areas around the globe, the synchronization to the circalunar cycle is often strongly perturbed. Using 2-yr data from a network of 23 photometers (Sky Quality Meters; SQM) in Austria (latitude ∼48°), we quantify how light pollution impacts the recognition of the circalunar periodicity. We do so via frequency analysis of nightly mean sky brightnesses using Fast Fourier Transforms. A very tight linear relation between the mean zenithal night sky brightness (NSB) given in $\mathrm {mag_{SQM}\, arcsec^{-2}}$ and the amplitude of the circalunar signal is found, indicating that for sites with a mean zenithal NSB brighter than 16.5 $\mathrm {mag_{SQM}\, arcsec^{-2}}$ the lunar rhythm practically vanishes. This finding implies that the circalunar rhythm is still detectable (within the broad bandpass of the SQM) at most places around the globe, but its amplitude against the light polluted sky is strongly reduced. We find that the circalunar contrast in zenith is reduced compared to ALAN-free sites by factors of $\frac{1}{9}$ in the state capital of Linz (∼200 000 inhabitants) and $\frac{1}{3}$ in small towns, e.g. Freistadt and Mattighofen, with less than 10 000 inhabitants. Only two of our sites, both situated in national parks (Bodinggraben and Zöblboden), show natural circalunar amplitudes. At our urban sites, we further detect a strong seasonal signal that is linked to the amplification of anthropogenic skyglow during the winter months due to climatological conditions.

scholarly journals Stability of the Nine Sky Quality Meters in the Dutch Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Network

Sensors ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 9466-9480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter den Outer ◽  
Dorien Lolkema ◽  
Marty Haaima ◽  
Rene van der Hoff ◽  
Henk Spoelstra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

scholarly journals The Selection and Protection of Optical Astronomical Observing Sites in China

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 748-748
Author(s):  
Jin Wenjing ◽  
Jinming Bai ◽  
Yongqiang Yao
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Satellite ◽  
Astronomical Observatory ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Time Service ◽  
Radio Stations ◽  
V Band ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
Economic Developments ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

Before 1950 there are two observatories, Shanghai and Purple Mountain Astronomical Observatories (SHAO and PMO), and two observing stations, Qingdao and Kunming stations in China. With the requirements of astronomical research, two observatories, Beijing and Shaanxi Astronomical Observatories (BAO and SXAO) and two artificial satellite stations, Urumqi and Changchun, were established about 1960. Based on the current management, now there are 4 observatories, SHAO, PMO, NAOC(National Astronomical Observatories), which was grouped from BAO, YNAO and 2 others, as well as XAO (Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory). The optical 1-2 m class telescopes are being operated at former four observatories. SXAO is changed as National Time Service Center. Because of city expansion as well as the traveling and economic developments, these observatories are suffered severe light pollution. For example, Zo Ce is located at the suburb of Shanghai city. A 40 cm double astrograph was installed in 1900 and a 1.56 m optical reflector have been operated since November 1987. In 1994 the seeing is better than 1 and the night sky brightness in V is about 19 mag/arcsec2, stars fainter than 20 mag with CCD are visibles. In 2007 a large playground was built in Zô Cè area. The light pollution is severe gradually. The night sky brightness has been increased to 15.8 mag/arcsec2. The other observatories have similar situation. New site surveys and found new stations to solve the problem. Except the solar and radio stations of each Astronomical Observatory, now there are 3 optical observing sites at PMO (Hong-He, Xu-Yi and Yaoan), 2 at SHAO (Zô Cè and Tian Huang Ping) and 2 at YNAO (Kunming and Gao-Mei-Gu) as well as 1 optical observing site at BAO (Xing-Long). The best observing site is Gao-Mei-Gu, which is selected as the optical observing site of YNAO and where atmospheric turbulence distribution is 0.11 near ground with heights from 6.5m to 2.7m during night. Sky brightness in B and V band are 22.34 and 21.54. The extinction coefficient K,bv and K,v are 0.298 and 0.135. The seeing measurement is 0.72’,. In the recent years a new 2.4m telescope the second largest telescope in China, was installed there.

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