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What is light pollution?

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Light Pollution Handbook

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 322))

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Abstract

Sky glow presents itself as a background luminance over the sky, against which the astronomical objects are to be observed. The interference of astronomical observations is caused by the resulting reduction in luminance contrast. A value that is often used for the practical minimum of the natural background radiation is 21,6 magnitude per square arcsecond, corresponding to 3,52.10-4 cd/m2. Several effects from outside the earth atmosphere as well as from within the atmosphere contribute to the natural background radiation. A major contribution to the natural sky brightness comes from the influence of the Sun. As the solar radiation changes during the well-known 11-year period, the influence on the natural sky brightness varies as well.

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Authors
  1. Kohei Narisada
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  2. Duco Schreuder
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Narisada, K., Schreuder, D. (2004). What is light pollution?. In: Light Pollution Handbook. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 322. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-2666-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-2666-9_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-015-7058-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-2666-9

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