Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
group
What campus are you from?
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Myles Curtis, Sophomore
Lead Presenter's Name
Myles Curtis
Faculty Mentor Name
Steve Gillam
Abstract
The 1-meter telescope at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach campus is the largest university-based research telescope in Florida. However, the light pollution from facilities and outdoor light fixtures greatly interferes with these resources, the quality of student life, and ecological systems in the area. Our team works to identify the greatest contributors to light pollution on campus so that we can develop cost effective and accessible solutions. A Unihedron Sky Quality Meter (SQM) is used to measure the amount of light being emitted from various sources of light. We are taking empirical and quantitative data, using the SQM, in a grid system around the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS). Measurements with and without temporary light covers, yellow cellophane light filters, and shades applied to the Mori Hosseini Student Union could identify the effectiveness of each method. We also work with the Physics department to take spectroscopic data of the night sky over COAS to identify the most harmful light sources to ERAU’s 1-meter telescope. Our project is new, and therefore ongoing. We require more data to thoroughly investigate our results before reporting our findings. However, as of now, our preliminary analysis suggests that improvements to the lighting practices around the College of Arts and Sciences, particularly with the Mori Hosseini Student Union, would greatly enhance the quality of research and life on campus. The results of this project will be shared with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University leadership in hopes that improvements can be made, although the final solution is still currently under investigation.
Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
No
The Impact of Light Pollution on the ERAU Campus
The 1-meter telescope at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach campus is the largest university-based research telescope in Florida. However, the light pollution from facilities and outdoor light fixtures greatly interferes with these resources, the quality of student life, and ecological systems in the area. Our team works to identify the greatest contributors to light pollution on campus so that we can develop cost effective and accessible solutions. A Unihedron Sky Quality Meter (SQM) is used to measure the amount of light being emitted from various sources of light. We are taking empirical and quantitative data, using the SQM, in a grid system around the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS). Measurements with and without temporary light covers, yellow cellophane light filters, and shades applied to the Mori Hosseini Student Union could identify the effectiveness of each method. We also work with the Physics department to take spectroscopic data of the night sky over COAS to identify the most harmful light sources to ERAU’s 1-meter telescope. Our project is new, and therefore ongoing. We require more data to thoroughly investigate our results before reporting our findings. However, as of now, our preliminary analysis suggests that improvements to the lighting practices around the College of Arts and Sciences, particularly with the Mori Hosseini Student Union, would greatly enhance the quality of research and life on campus. The results of this project will be shared with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University leadership in hopes that improvements can be made, although the final solution is still currently under investigation.