Influence of Illumination Parameters on Night Sky Observation in Rural Areas

Alejandro Martínez-Martín, Adrián Bocho-Roas, Diego Carmona-Fernández (), Manuel Calderón-Godoy, Miguel Ángel Jaramillo-Morán and Juan Félix González
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Alejandro Martínez-Martín: Department of Applied Physic, School of Industrial Engineering, Avda, de Elvas, S/N, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Adrián Bocho-Roas: Department of Applied Physic, School of Industrial Engineering, Avda, de Elvas, S/N, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Diego Carmona-Fernández: Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Automation, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Extremadura, Avda, Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Manuel Calderón-Godoy: Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Automation, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Extremadura, Avda, Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Miguel Ángel Jaramillo-Morán: Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Automation, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Extremadura, Avda, Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Juan Félix González: Department of Applied Physic, School of Industrial Engineering, Avda, de Elvas, S/N, 06006 Badajoz, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-23

Abstract: Currently, there are concerns about the significant increase in the level of night-time light pollution, which has become more dramatic in recent years. This causes several environmental problems and makes it impossible to observe the starry night sky, especially in rural areas where observatories are often located. Incorrect orientation and arrangement of lighting are often responsible for this pollution. This study quantified the level of interference of lighting parameters in the night sky. The influence of other environmental factors which may interfere with observation was also evaluated. A predictive model was developed to determine the level of darkness in rural areas. It was concluded that the distance from the emission point to the observation site is critical for sky observation. A series of guidelines were proposed for designing the lighting around observatories, which could help reduce light pollution and increase the stars’ perception. The conclusions and guidelines obtained could also be applied to designing the lighting in other areas, such as protected natural areas, historical monuments, urban lighting, and computer tools used for lighting. Globally, the results obtained in this study could help to reduce the level of night-time light pollution in rural areas, leading to improvements in the environment and in the observation of the night sky. This finding is of great relevance for astronomical observatories, which are spread around the world in strategic positions for sky observation, usually in rural areas.

Keywords: light pollution; ALAN; LED lighting; sky glow; night light; observatories; stargazing; astrotourism; photometer; sky quality meter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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