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Old 26-04-2015, 09:09 AM
glend (Glen)
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glend is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,121
Sky Quality Metre Correlation with Light Pollution Map

Starman over on Cloudy Nights has put up a comparative reference of SQM reading and light pollution map colours. The thread is here, check Starman's entry down the page:

http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/49...2#entry6558839

Extract is here:

"From correlating colors on the LP map (even the new one, with 15 shades) to wide SQM readings, I get the following:
Green zone 20.9-21.1
Dark Green zone 21.1-21.35
Blue zone 21.35-21.5
Dark blue zone 21.5-21.6
Light gray zone 21.6-21.7
dark gray zone 21.7-21.8
black zone--we (USA) don't have any black zones."

My personal SQM readings are supportive of Starman's conclusions, based on the Australian light pollution map.
I live in a Green Zone and can achieve readings near 21 in good conditions. Bretti NSW a dark gray zone, returns 21.77 on a regular basis during new moon periods; likewise Chaffey Dam is in the same reading category.
Does this correlation stand up to your experience?

Light pollution map is located here:

http://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#z...ayers=B0TFFFTT

Just move it around (and zoom in or out) to locate your area.
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