scholarly journals Testing for changes in light emissions from certified International Dark Sky Places

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilee Hyde ◽  
Sabine Frank ◽  
John C Barentine ◽  
Helga Kuechly ◽  
Christopher C. M. Kyba
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Light Emission ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Voluntary Certification ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Legislative Changes ◽  
Night Lights ◽  
Reduced Light ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

The International Dark-Sky Places (IDSP) program of the International Dark-Sky Association is a voluntary certification in which communities commit via legislative changes to move towards more sustainable lighting that reduces light pollution. As over 115 IDSP have now been certified, it is interesting to ask the extent to which this certification results in reduced light emissions. In this paper, we compared trends in upward light emission of 98 communities located in or near IDSP to those of 98 similarly sized communities further away from the IDSP, using a night lights observing satellite (the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day-Night Band). The current dataset is not sufficient to distinguish the hypothesis that IDSP certification results in a lower rate of change in upward light emissions from the null hypothesis that IDSP certification has no impact. This result is with regard to upward light emissions only: it is possible that certification has resulted in decreases in night sky brightness that the satellite is not able to observe.

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 Session 21.1 – Observations, Advances in LED Technology, and Dark Sky Protection

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29A) ◽  
pp. 434-442
Author(s):  
Dan M. Duriscoe
Keyword(s):  
New World ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Color Images ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
International Space ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Protection Potential ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

AbstractThe importance of dark sky protection, potential threats to further degradation from LED technology, the announcement of a new world atlas of artificial night sky brightness, and the use of color images from the orbiting International Space Station for monitoring potential sources of light pollution were discussed in the six talks of this session. It was clear from the presentations that the work of professional astronomy depends upon continued restraint in the use of outdoor lighting, especially new LED technology, which relies upon blue-rich sources to support the advantages of high luminous efficacy and resulting energy savings.

scholarly journals Astronomical Observation Environment Study focusing on Night Sky Brightness Variation under Light Pollution

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hee Lee ◽  
Seung-Urn Choe ◽  
Jae-Hoon Jung ◽  
Hong-Gyun Woo
Keyword(s):  
Brightness Variation ◽  
Astronomical Observation ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Environment Study ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
Night Sky Brightness ◽  
Observation Environment

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 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 Sky brightness measurements for different environmental conditions by the example of St. Petersburg

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 01010
Author(s):  
Svetlana Kolgushkina
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Light Emission ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
City Center ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Sky Conditions ◽  
The City ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

St. Petersburg is unique place in Russia with an environmental phenomenon called “white nights” during summertime: sky brightness levels are influenced mostly by environmental conditions. Sky conditions during the winter are opposite: light emission is mostly caused by the anthropogenic factors. A series of experiments were conducted between May and December 2017 using a Sky Quality Meter (SQM-LU-DL), a night sky brightness photometer, to understand the differences between sky brightness levels for different environmental conditions and seasonal variations. Sky brightness distinction between the city center and 20 km distance were estimated for clear sky conditions.

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 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.

Light pollution in India: appraisal of artificial night sky brightness of cities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Kaur Bedi ◽  
Kshama Puntambekar ◽  
Sonal Singh
Keyword(s):  
Light Pollution ◽  
Sky Brightness ◽  
Night Sky ◽  
Night Sky Brightness

scholarly journals Variation of Individual Location Radiance in VIIRS DNB Monthly Composite Images

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Coesfeld ◽  
Sharolyn Anderson ◽  
Kimberly Baugh ◽  
Christopher Elvidge ◽  
Harald Schernthanner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Light Emission ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Light Emitters ◽  
Local Factors ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Night Lights ◽  
Monthly Variations

With the growing size and use of night lights time series from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band (DNB), it is important to understand the stability of the dataset. All satellites observe differences in pixel values during repeat observations. In the case of night lights data, these changes can be due to both environmental effects and changes in light emission. Here we examine the stability of individual locations of particular large scale light sources (e.g. airports, prisons) in the monthly composites of DNB data from April 2012 to September 2017. The radiances for individual pixels of most large light emitters are approximately normally distributed, with a standard deviation of typically 15-20% of the mean. We observe geospatial autocorrelation in the monthly variations for nearby sites, while the correlation for sites separated by large distances is small. This suggests that local factors contribute most to the variation in the pixel radiances, and furthermore that averaging radiances over large areas will reduce the total variation. A better understanding of the causes of temporal variation would improve the sensitivity of DNB to lighting changes.

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