Monitoring the Level of Light Pollution and Its Impact on Astronomical Bodies Naked-Eye Visibility Range in Selected Areas in Malaysia Using Sky Quality Meter

Abstract

Light pollution is an anthropogenic by-product of modern civilization and heavy economical activity, sourced from artificial light. In addition of its detrimental impact on human and ecology, light pollution brightens the night sky, limiting the range of visible astronomical bodies detected by naked-eye. Since it is becoming a global concern for astronomers, the level of light pollution needs to be monitored to study its mark on the astronomical data. Using Sky Quality Meter in the period of 5 months, we investigated the links between city population and its vicinity from the city center towards the profile of the night sky and the limiting magnitude of the naked eye. We eliminate the data factored by clouds and moon brightness on account of it has an adverse effect on sky brightness that could disrupt research on light pollution.

Does Light Pollution Affect Nighttime Ground-Level Ozone Concentrations?

“…The trend exhibited similarities to previous findings in urban and suburban sites, peaked during daytime (2 p.m.), and decreased during nighttime, but the concentrations differed [14,16,17,35]. Faid et al [24] investigated the profile of the night sky in Malaysia. They found that population and location distance from a city are the significant variables of light pollution because Kuala Lumpur is five times brighter than Teluk Kemang, a suburban sky.…”

“…These sites were situated in the cities where the population density was higher than that of suburban sites, i.e., Muar (MR), Indera Mahkota (IM), and Tanjung Malim (TM). A city is considered a significant contributor to light pollution because of more artificial light sources, such as street lights, security lights, lights on vehicles, and lighted buildings and towers that vary to many degrees [1,24].…”

The Capability of Astrotourism on Preserving Sustainability: A Case Study in Malaysia

“…Light pollution is an alteration of the natural night sky through artificial lighting that causes the night sky to be brighter and deforms the natural brightness and colour of the night sky (Faid et al, 2019). As light pollution brightens the sky and distorts the supposed colour of the night sky, it hampers astronomical sightings such as stars, galaxies and the Milky Way (Faid et al, 2016). This is because astronomical objects require certain brightness and colour contrast thresholds against the night sky to be visible.…”

Drivers of nocturnal interactions between ground-level ozone and nitrogen dioxide

“…Rapid development occurred in industrial activities such as manufacturing, factories, processing, shipping, and tourism (Othman & Latif, 2020). The urban area was facilitated with more artificial light sources; streetlights, security lights, lights on vehicles and lighted buildings that may contribute to light pollution that varies in many degrees (Faid et al, 2016).…”