Sky Brightness Monitor

What is it?

Project Night Sky is an initiative to keep our night skies dark. Funded by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), the initiative is taking place across the globe.

This project is the driving force behind an entirely new type of unit. The Sky Brightness Monitor (SBM) will be used to measure the night sky in a continuous, long-term and highly automated fashion.

The benefits

Light pollution has many side-effects that are not often immediately brought to mind. There is always the recreational aspect of having a nice view of the stars; however it is more than that. National observatories have light pollution creeping up on them, lowering the quality of their view to other solar systems. In addition, wildlife is often confused. Migrating birds become puzzled by the light pollution and end up lost or crossing highways in high traffic areas. Other animals are even getting their nights and days confused.

Our part

Matrix Product Development has been a huge part in this project. Not only did Matrix co-develop the product, but we also manufacture and calibrate the individual sensor units. The units are about 12” by 12”. These relatively small units are solar powered and connect to the internet. They also have to be very precise in: accuracy, field of view, sampling rate, dynamic range, and temperature stability. These devices were very challenging to make, but IDA is now receiving information from them world-wide.

Contact Matrix Product Development to learn more about our product development services.