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Aceituno, J.; Sánchez, S.F.; Aceituno, F.J.; GaladÃ-EnrÃquez, D.; Negro, J.J.; Soriguer, R.C.; Gomez, G.S. |

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An All-Sky Transmission Monitor: ASTMON |
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Journal Article |
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2011 |
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Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
Abbreviated Journal |
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
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123 |
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907 |
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1076-1086 |
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monitoring; light at night; light pollution; skyglow |
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Abstract |
We present here the All-Sky Transmission Monitor (ASTMON), designed to perform a continuous monitoring of the surface brightness of the complete night sky in several bands. The data acquired are used to derive, in addition, a subsequent map of the multiband atmospheric extinction at any location in the sky and a map of the cloud coverage. The instrument has been manufactured to withstand extreme weather conditions and to remain operative. Designed to be fully robotic, it is ideal to be installed outdoors as a permanent monitoring station. The preliminary results based on two of the currently operative units (at Doñana National Park, Huelva, and at the Calar Alto Observatory, AlmerÃa, Spain) are presented here. The parameters derived using ASTMON are in good agreement with those previously reported, which illustrates the validity of the design and the accuracy of the manufacturing. The information provided by this instrument will be presented in forthcoming articles, once we have accumulated a statistically significant amount of data. |
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0004-6280 |
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IDA @ john @ |
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195 |
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Aubé, M.; Fortin, N.; Turcotte, S.; García, B.; Mancilla, A.; Maya, J. |

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Title |
Evaluation of the Sky Brightness at Two Argentinian Astronomical Sites |
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Journal Article |
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2014 |
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Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
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Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
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000-000 |
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Skyglow; light pollution; astronomical observatories; sky brightness; site selection; LEO ++; El Leoncito; Kitt Peak; Mont-Mégantic; Argentina |
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Abstract |
Light pollution is a growing concern at many levels, especially for the astronomical community. Indeed, not only does artificial lighting veil celestial objects, it disturbs the measurement of many atmospheric phenomena. The sky brightness is one of the most relevant parameters for astronomical site selection. Our goal is to evaluate the sky brightness of two Argentinian observation sites: LEO ++ and El Leoncito. Both sites were preselected to host the Cherenkov Telescope Array. This project consists of an arrangement of many telescopes that can measure high-energy gamma ray emissions via their Cherenkov radiation produced when entering the earth’s atmosphere. In this paper, we describe the measurement methods used to determine whether those sites are valuable or not. We compared our results with the sky radiance of different renowned astronomical sites (Kitt Peak, Arizona, and Mont-Mégantic, Québec, Canada). Among our results, we found that LEO ++ is a good site, however the presence of a low layer of local aerosol can introduce uncertainties in the measurements. Consequently, El Leoncito would be a better option for such an installation. This latter site shows very low sky brightness levels, which are optimal for low light detection. |
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0004-6280 |
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IDA @ john @ |
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1071 |
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Duriscoe, D.M. |

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Measuring Anthropogenic Sky Glow Using a Natural Sky Brightness Model. |
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2013 |
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Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
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125 |
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933 |
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1370-1382 |
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Skyglow |
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Anthropogenic sky glow (a result of light pollution) combines with the natural background brightness of the night sky when viewed by an observer on the earth’s surface. In order to measure the anthropogenic component accurately, the natural component must be identified and subtracted. A model of the moonless natural sky brightness in the V-band was constructed from existing data on the Zodiacal Light, an airglow model based on the van Rhijn function, and a model of integrated starlight (including diffuse galactic light) constructed from images made with the same equipment used for sky brightness observations. The model also incorporates effective extinction by the atmosphere and is improved at high zenith angles (>80°) by the addition of atmospheric diffuse light. The model may be projected onto local horizon coordinates for a given observation at a resolution of 0.05° over the hemisphere of the sky, allowing it to be accurately registered with data images obtained from any site. Zodiacal Light and integrated starlight models compare favorably with observations from remote dark sky sites, matching within ± 8 nL over 95% of the sky. The natural airglow may be only approximately modeled, errors of up to ± 25 nL are seen when the airglow is rapidly changing or has considerable character (banding); ± 8 nL precision may be expected under favorable conditions. When subtracted from all-sky brightness data images, the model significantly improves estimates of sky glow from anthropogenic sources, especially at sites that experience slight to moderate light pollution. |
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LoNNe @ christopher.kyba @ |
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539 |
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Author  |
Duriscoe, D.M.; Luginbuhl, C.B.; Moore, C.W. |

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Title |
Measuring Night-Sky Brightness with a Wide-Field CCD Camera |
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2007 |
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Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
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Publ Astron Soc Pac |
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119 |
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852 |
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192-213 |
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light pollution; light at night; skyglow; monitoring; measurement; CCD |
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We describe a system for rapidly measuring the brightness of the night sky using a mosaic of CCD images obtained with a low-cost automated system. The portable system produces millions of independent photometric measurements covering the entire sky, enabling the detailed characterization of natural sky conditions and light domes produced by cities. The measurements are calibrated using images of standard stars contained within the raw data, producing results closely tracking the Johnson V astronomical standard. The National Park Service has collected hundreds of data sets at numerous parks since 2001 and is using these data for the protection and monitoring of the night-sky visual resource. This system also allows comprehensive characterization of sky conditions at astronomical observatories. We explore photometric issues raised by the broadband measurement of the complex and variable night-sky spectrum, and potential indices of night-sky quality. |
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0004-6280 |
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IDA @ john @ |
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193 |
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Author  |
Grauer, A.D.; Grauer, P.A.; Davies, N.; Davies, G. |

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Title |
Impact of Space Weather on the Natural Night Sky |
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Journal Article |
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2019 |
Publication |
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
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PASP |
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131 |
Issue |
1005 |
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114508 |
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Darkness; night sky brightness; United States; New Zealand; Sun; space weather; solar wind |
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In 2018, Solar Cycle 24 entered a deep solar minimum. During this period, we collected night sky brightness data at Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary (CCIDSS) in the USA (2018 September 4–2019 January 4) and at Aotea/Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary (AGBIIDSS) in New Zealand (2018 March 26–August 31. These sites have artificial-light-pollution-free natural night skies. The equipment employed are identical Unihedron SQM-LU-DL meters, used as single-channel differential photometers, to scan the sky as Earth rotates on its axis. We have developed new analysis techniques which select those data points which are uninfluenced by Sun, Moon, or clouds to follow brightness changes at selected points on the celestial sphere and to measure the brightness of the airglow above its quiescent level. The 2018 natural night sky was measured to change in brightness by approximately 0.9 mag arcsec−2 at both locations. Preliminary results indicate the modulations of the light curves (brightness versus R.A.) we observed are related in complex ways to elements of space weather conditions in the near-Earth environment. In particular, episodes of increased night sky brightness are observed to be contemporaneous with geomagnetic activity, increases in mean solar wind speed, and some solar proton/electron fluence events. Charged particles in the solar wind take days to reach near-Earth environment after a coronal hole is observed to be facing in our direction. Use of this information could make it possible to predict increases in Earth’s natural night sky brightness several days in advance. What we have learned during this solar minimum leads us to search for other solar driven changes in night sky brightness as the Sun begins to move into solar maximum conditions. |
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Catalina Sky Survey, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, USA; algrauer(at)me.com |
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Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
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English |
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English |
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0004-6280 |
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IDA @ john @ |
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2696 |
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