Free interactive light pollution map
Light Pollution Map is a free mapping application by Deneb. It offers light pollution information worldwide and has different tools at your disposal to create a visual representation of sky brightness across the globe. Bing Maps technology is used to show the data. You can zoom in and out, display different overlays, and more.
You’ll also be able to perform some advanced functions, such as determining the sky brightness statistics for a drawn area and toggling different indicators, such as SQM light pollution measurements. You can even print your results quickly with an in-site icon and share them via social media.
An atlas for sky brightness
Light Pollution Map offers incredibly detailed information, which can be daunting for the uninitiated. However, if you’re familiar with units such as magnitude/arc second², you’ll feel right at home with this app. Otherwise, it’s worth visiting the FAQs page for some explanations.
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However, both newcomers and experts will find more than enough information here to assess updated information on how much of a dark sky is left in a certain region. You can even select a point in the map to get its measurements and toggle different overlays such as VIIRS 2021, Clouds, and the Aurora forecast, to name a few.
Flexibility and appropriate tools
Light Pollution Map is a dark site, literally. Since it shows light data, the map is darker than usual. Fortunately, everything can be changed with a simple click. This includes the map and the way brightness information is displayed.
You can even simulate the Zenith sky brightness, and get statistics per country. These statistics include advanced data such as whether there’s been an increase or decrease in Radiation per 1000 people in each place.
For researchers and the curious alike
As you probably know, the notion of a pristine, dark sky at night is, in many places, just a romantic concept. Light Pollution Map is a valuable tool for anyone researching light pollution and casual users trying to learn more about light pollution in their area.
That said, this app is clearly geared toward professionals since there are many concepts to understand to take full advantage of what it offers. Nevertheless, the colour scheme is easy for newcomers to understand and will straightforwardly give you the basic facts.
