Using a Digital Camera to Measure Skyglow

[deleted-801944]

I was planning on using this idea to design an experiment that tested the difference between light pollution with and without Christmas lights at the local zoo (they have over 5 million Christmas lights). I was wondering if there was a way to numerically calculate the difference between the two and how I would go about doing that.

[norman40]

Hi,

I'm assuming that you're working on the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... re-skyglow

You should be able to use the procedure from this project to make the skyglow comparison at your local zoo. In this project you assign “equivalent exposure time” values to your night sky photos based on a calibration curve you develop. You can use these values to evaluate changes in skyglow due to location (as suggested in the project) or Christmas lights in the vicinity as you suggested.

My suggestion is to follow the project procedure for making the calibration curve. Then use the zoo as one of your night sky photo locations. Make sky photos with the Christmas lights off and with them on. Both photos should be made at the same time of night and with the same camera settings. Follow the project procedure to get the equivalent exposure times for your photos. A ratio of the equivalent exposure times without and with the Christmas lights would be meaningful comparison.

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman