The artificial sky brightness in Europe derived from DMSP satellite data

TL;DR

This paper maps artificial sky brightness across Europe using satellite data and detailed atmospheric light propagation models to assess and monitor light pollution levels.

Contribution

It provides a high-resolution map of sky brightness in Europe derived from satellite data and advanced modeling of light propagation, enabling better understanding of light pollution.

Findings

Detailed map of artificial sky brightness in Europe

Quantitative assessment of night sky pollution levels

Framework for future trend monitoring

Abstract

We present the map of the artificial sky brightness in Europe in V band with a resolution of approximately 1 km. The aim is to understand the state of night sky pollution in Europe, to quantify the present situation and to allow future monitoring of trends. The artificial sky brightness in each site at a given position on the sky is obtained by integration of the contributions produced by every surface area in the surroundings of the site. Each contribution is computed taking into account based on detailed models the propagation in the atmosphere of the upward light flux emitted by the area and measured by the Operational Linescan System of DMSP satellites. The modelling technique, introduced and developed by Garstang and also applied by Cinzano, takes into account the extinction along light paths, a double scattering of light from atmospheric molecules and aerosols, Earth curvature and allows to associate the predictions to the aerosol content of the atmosphere.