Where is the night sky most visible in Cornwall and which areas emit the most 'light pollution'?

Light emissions

Artificial light emissions at night are an important factor affecting local environmental quality. Although it is known that light pollution can affect the behaviour of many living organisms, the consequences for wildlife and human health and wellbeing are often unknown.

Data was obtained from monthly night-time composite images created by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) day/night band (DNB). These satellite-born sensors provide the most widely used and sensitive data available.

The map is derived from the mean radiance (millicandela per m2) for the years 2012 to 2018 for the months August to November.

Sky glow

Sky glow is a measure of the night sky brightness caused by the scattering of artificial light at night by water, dust and gas molecules in the atmosphere. Night-time light emissions create a glow that can hide the night sky. The greater the light pollution, the harder it is to see stars and constellations.

Estimates of skyglow are obtained from the New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness. The map was produced by modelling upward light radiance from artificial sources, measured by satellite and ground measurements.

The sky glow atlas was generated for data (millicandela per m2) collected in May, June, September, October, November and December in 2014.