Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: Light pollution, a rapidly escalating anthropogenic phenomenon driven by the excessive and often inefficient use of artificial lighting, has profound implications for astronomy, ecology, and human health. This study presents the first comprehensive characterization of night sky quality in Colombia, focusing on sites of astronomical and ecological significance. The selected locations include the Astronomical Observatory of UTP, the Tatacoa Desert, the Bogot\'a Botanical Garden, and Cerro Guadalupe. Utilizing the Sky Quality Camera, we collected all-sky data to measure surface brightness and correlated color temperature of the night sky. Our findings reveal a significant loss of natural sky visibility in urban areas and demonstrate the detrimental effects of artificial lighting on critical astronomical sites such as La Tatacoa. This study provides a crucial foundation for future research and informs the development of public policies aimed at preserving the night sky.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Uchima-Tamayo, J. P., Angeloni, R., Arancibia, M. Jaque, Theran, C. Goez, Restrepo, J. F. R\'ua
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6979333994
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