Preliminary Report of Light Pollution in Indonesia Based on Sky Quality Observation

Abstract

Abstract We observed night sky quality in several LAPAN stations (Agam, Bandung, Pontianak, Sumedang, Garut, Pasuruan, and Biak) which were conducted from April until July 2018 using Unihedron Sky Quality Meter LU-DL type. Observational data from all of the observational points were then sent regularly to a centralized database for further use. Although most of the measurements were done in overcast conditions, we were able to determine the representative clear sky brightness statistically. The results showed that the light pollution level of the most of the stations are moderate (the values at Biak, Agam, Sumedang, and Pontianak are 20.0, 19.5, 19.6, and 17.7 mpsas respectively) and the stations which are located near or in cities are high (Bandung and Pasuruan with 17.1 and 18.0 mpsas, respectively). In a particular station (Garut) the light pollution is low (20.6 mpsas), so it is good to make this spot to be a location of astrotourism.