A Project Useful for Starry Sky Protection by Collaboration between Night Time Artificial Light Observation from Space and Night Sky Brightness Observation on the Ground

Abstract

In recent years, the movement to re-recognize starry sky as a regional resource and to utilize it as regional added value attracts many people. At the same time, however, the increase in the brightness of nighttime lighting due to the spread of LEDs etc. causes the night sky to gradually become brighter, and the situation in which the value of the starry sky is lost is also progressing. In order to protect the value of the starry sky, it is important to quantify the effects of nighttime lighting on the night sky brightness and to provide basic data useful for discussion on the balance between light pollution control and citizen life. From this point of view, we are promoting a project for protecting the starry sky by combining observation of nighttime lighting from space with nano-satellite and night sky brightness observation on the ground.