The Keep it Dark (KID) project first saw the light of day on October first 2022. Now, a little over a year later quite a few things have happened. In this first major project update we are going to go over all the general milestones achieved over the last fourteen months. Besides, from now on, the KID website will be updated regularly with new project information and updates from the team, while we work towards the Eurodark conference in March next year.
The project was recommended back in 2018 by the trilateral ministerial conference in Leeuwarden, as a crucial element of the future of the conservation and management of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site. KID aims to construct a robust architecture on how to best measure the sky brightness. So we can keep track of the levels of artificial light across a spectrum of colours, and as a result, get a grip on light pollution. We want to produce an overview of measurement systems that are accurate and easy to use and interpret, so governing bodies will have a clear framework to use as a guide in addressing the abundance of light we have surrounded ourselves with.
Additionally, we want to raise awareness for the existence of this kind of pollution, since it is something that is not that often talked about. Artificial light has revolutionised human life, enhancing productivity and connectivity amongst others. However, the repercussions attached to brightening up the night sky, especially in certain colour bands, are disruptive to the nature around us - and ourselves. By studying light pollution, we can preserve the beauty of the night sky, protect biodiversity, and promote healthier living environments for humans and wildlife alike. KID can help strike a balance between the benefits of artificial light and the preservation of natural darkness.
What has happened so far?
The first few months of the project were spent setting everything up. Since there is no standardised measurement approach for this kind of pollution yet, the team has mainly been focusing on examining the various measurement methods that are out there, as well as their accompanying equipment. Firstly, it is important to determine how accurately all these devices can measure light as a pollutant. Secondly, studies in the blue are important, as this colour seems to be especially harmful, although usually not incorporated in measurement systems. Moreover, it is fundamental to know to what degree the instruments would be able to withstand the rather harsh conditions in the research area of interest: the Wadden Sea region. Another way in which no standardisation exists on the topic of light pollution studies is concerning the necessary calibration of the measuring equipment. Some methods use astrometric photometry, using well-known stars for calibration purposes, while for instance others utilise lighting industry standardised luminaries. KID also delves into this aspect of taking measurements to compare the various calibration strategies.
In order to uncover these unknowns and study the numerous measurement systems in detail, multiple measuring stations with several detectors have been installed at a variety of locations in the partnering countries, both in light-polluted areas as well as in dark spots. The first stage of the project was reserved for the initialisation and implementation of these measuring sites. Before doing so, the KID team invited a large variety of stakeholders to a kick-off meeting in November 2022 to gather input on the monitoring plans. Today, there are diverse fully equipped stations in Groningen, Lauwersoog, Spiekeroog, and Oldenburg. They are facilitated with cameras operating in a range of colours, along with sky brightness sensors of assorted types (like SQMs and TESS). On top of that, the SQM monitoring network in the Wadden area (washetdonker.nl, developed by the RUG) is being expanded upon. The various sites are currently up and running - ready to monitor the sky over the winter months. After which data can be analysed and the different measurement tactics can be compared. This data collection system has been developed and is also now being implemented for the various research locations, while being thoroughly tested and updated.
As the winter cold sets in, and the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, an opportune time is provided to us to start intensively gaining sky brightness data. In March 2024, we hope to present our findings during the 16th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky (Eurodark 2024), but in the meantime, we will of course keep you up to date via our website and socials.