The Complutense University of Madrid and the “International Research Center for Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals.”(CBAS) have published the first high-resolution calibrated light pollution map of the Iberian Peninsula, thanks to the use of data provided by the SDGSAT-1 satellite.
With a unprecedented resolution of 40 metersthe project RALAN card EU, was led by complutense astrophysicist Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel from the Department of Earth Physics and Astrophysics in collaboration with the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS). The map of the Iberian Peninsula is characterized by a complete coverage that also includes the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Balearic Islands.
This map represents a significant advance in the study of light pollution and allows for a more accurate assessment of its impact. inside Environment and human health. One of the most notable features of this map is its ability to provide an estimate of the color temperature of the light sources examined, a crucial factor in understanding the effects of artificial light at night.
The presentation of this map opens new avenues for research and decision making regarding light management and night sky protection. This project is not only a milestone for the researchers and scientists involved, but also a valuable resource for governments, urban planners and conservationists seeking sustainable solutions to the growing problem of light pollution.
The team behind it RALAN card EU continues to work on improving and refining this map with the goal of providing the global community with an even more accurate and useful tool.