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Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface

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Light pollution simulations for planar ground-based light sources.

Miroslav Kocifaj¹

¹Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 04 Bratislava, Slovak Republic. astromir@savba.sk

|February 22, 2008

Summary

Light pollution models show enhanced skyglow under clouds due to downward luminous flux. Considering the actual size of ground-based light sources, not just point sources, significantly alters sky luminance distribution, especially with overcast skies.

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Area of Science:

Astronomy
Environmental Science
Atmospheric Physics

Background:

Light pollution modeling typically simplifies ground-based light sources as point sources.
Overcast skies can significantly enhance skyglow due to clouds scattering and reflecting light.
The spatial distribution of sky luminance is crucial for understanding light pollution impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the spatial behavior of night sky luminance using a light pollution model under cloudless and overcast conditions.
To investigate the discrepancies in sky luminance distribution when considering planar light sources versus point-source approximations.
To assess the impact of ground-based light source size on sky luminance, particularly under overcast skies.

Main Methods:

Employed a light pollution model to simulate sky luminance.
Compared simulations using realistic planar light sources with those using point-source approximations.
Analyzed luminance distributions under both cloudless and overcast atmospheric conditions.

Main Results:

Enhanced light excess and skyglow were identified under overcast skies, with clouds contributing to downward luminous flux.
The size of ground-based light sources significantly influences sky luminance distribution under overcast conditions.
Modeling realistic light source sizes, rather than point sources, reduces steep luminance changes and can cause light pillars to fuse.

Conclusions:

The size of ground-based light sources is a critical factor in light pollution modeling, especially for overcast skies.
Point-source approximations can lead to inaccurate representations of sky luminance, particularly concerning light pillars and horizon glow.
Accurate modeling requires incorporating the dimensions of light sources to better understand skyglow and its spatial characteristics.