Efforts to establish dark sky places based on systematic measurements of the night sky brightness in Upper Austria

Author(s): Thomas Posch, Franz Binder, Johannes Puschnig, Stefan Wallner
Abstract: We present the results of 23 SQM stations, installed in Upper Austria as part of a light monitoring network. By taking measurements every minute, about 12 million data points on the night sky brightness have been collected per year in order to gain an overview of the night sky quality in different parts of the country. The analysis focusses on the years 2015-2017, not only on clear nights, but also on cloudy to overcast sky conditions. Circalunar periodicity, weather dependence and seasonal variations are obvious but depend on the amounts and kinds of light sources in the respective surroundings. We show a strong circalunar periodicity of the night sky brightness in small towns and villages with amplitudes of up to 5 magnitudes. On the other hand, we demonstrate that the examined city skies brighten by up to 3 magnitudes under cloudy conditions. We show histograms and plots which emphasise the divergent levels of light pollution in big cities, suburban and rural areas. Measurements in rural areas of Upper Austria show night sky brightness values down to 21.8 mag/arcsec² and should allow the establishment of official Dark Sky Places according to the International Dark Sky Association. The aim is to preserve and protect such locations through responsible lighting policies and public education. Together with the provincial government of Upper Austria, we hope to create two Dark Sky Places in the county: possibly a ”Dark Sky Reserve” in the Nationalpark Kalkalpen region with an area of up to 1000 km² and/or a smaller ”Dark Sky Park”, e.g. in the region ”Freiwald” in the northeast of Upper Austria. We are currently trying to perform a multiple factor analysis to examine more carefully how dark skies as measured within our network, meteorological conditions, local infrastructure, presence of already established observatories and nature protected areas can be best ‘combined’ in the choice of suitable dark sky places.
Organisation(s): Department of Astrophysics, Conference and Event Management
External organisation(s): Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Pages: 4-5
Publication date: 09-2018
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 103003 Astronomy, 103004 Astrophysics
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/bec23817-a2c3-421d-a684-72c00906c99e

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