Scientists can interpret and predict the polarization of light in the night sky
Monitoring of light pollution is currently mainly focused on measuring the light intensity of the night sky. However, such measurements are not complete, as they do not contain data on the polarization of light. This parameter is an invaluable source of additional information, and nowadays, when the level of light pollution is increasing almost everywhere in the world, it becomes especially important. A team of scientists from the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics of the Comenius University in Bratislava found a solution. They developed the first realistic night sky polarization model.
"This model performed very well in the experimental test, and we think it represents important progress in our understanding of the light pollution escaping into the surrounding environment. Data including the degree of linear polarization and the angle of polarization of the night sky open completely new possibilities in the assessment of the state of the light field and make it possible not only to interpret but also to predict the consequences for living organisms," said Miroslav Kocifaj of the Institute of Construction and Architecture SAS.
Many nocturnal animals are sensitive to polarized light. Polarization is also important in the interpretation of astronomical observations, remote sensing of the Earth, ground-based optical measurements of the aerosol component of the atmosphere and analysing data obtained, for instance, in biological research.
"Systematic mapping of the polarization of the night sky has so far been very rare, partly due to the lack of instrumentation with high dynamic range, fast response at low light levels, and also because to date there is practically no successful published model of the polarization of the night sky that would allow a correct interpretation of the measured data " added Miroslav Kocifaj.
Scientists published research results in one of the world's leading journals, MNRAS Letters, focusing on ground-breaking research in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. The journal is part of the so-called Nature-index list.
Edited by Monika Tináková
Foto: unsplash.com/NASA