Dark Sky Map in Chiang Rai

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18th Siam Physics Congress IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2653 (2023) 012027 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2653/1/012027
The first dark sky map of Chiang Rai : three

decades of change affecting Astro-tourism
T Changruenngam1 , D Deetha2 , C Sukkai2 , P Youyuenyong3 , N
Sarotsakulchai4 and F Surina1 *
1
Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Chiang Rai, 57100,
Thailand
2
Faculty of Tourism and Hotel, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, 80 Moo 9, Bandu,Muang,
Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
3
Faculty of Law, Chiang Mai University, 239 Huay Kaew Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai,
50200, Thailand
4
National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, 260 Moo 4, Donkaew, Maerim,
Chiangmai, 50180, Thailand
E-mail: sc_farung@crru.ac.th
Abstract. We present the first Chiang Rai dark sky map, measurements of the calibrated
zenith artificial night sky brightness at sea level, which covers data since 1992–2021. The
Data were collected from two US satellites including the Defense Meteorological Satellite
Program with the Operational Line Scan System (DMSP-OLS) and the Suomi National Polar-
orbiting Partnership with the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS). Images
containing ratios of artificial light to natural light were originally excluded from sunlight,
solar glare, moon light, lunar illuminance, lightning features from the aurora, clouds, fires
and background noise. Based on the correlation between data from the overlapped year 2013,
the result showed the great matching relationship between DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS data
(R2 = 0.92) which revealed the mathematical model was feasible and reliable. The number
of dark sky areas over Chiang Rai in the past 3 decades was classified in 8 classes based on
the sky brightness in Bortle scale colour code and in magnitude : 1. Excellent dark sky sites
(>21.9 mag, black), 2. Dark sky (21.9-21.5 mag, grey), 3. Rural sky (21.5-21.3 mag, blue),
4. Suburban/Rural transition sky (21.3-20.1 mag, green), 5. Suburban sky (20.1-19.1 mag,
yellow), 6. Bright suburban sky (19.1-19.5 mag, orange), 7. City/suburban transition sky
(19.5-18.0 mag, red)and 8. City sky (<18.0 mag, white). It was found that 14% of area in
Chiang Rai are covering by the bright sky with Bortle class 7 and 8. Within this only 14% of
area dwell more than 33% of population that have now already lost naked eye visibility of the
Milky Way. In addition, a risk assessment model for dark sky conservation revealed that dark
sky area are dramatically becoming extinction. It was suggested that Chiang Rai will not have
an area suitable for stargazing by 2040 if there is no designated area for conservation. Our map
could ultimately encourage land owners of such dark sky sites to register their properties in the
IAU dark sky reserve database to elevate Astro-tourism in Chiang Rai.
1. Introduction
Light pollution, the presence of artificial light in the environment, is increasingly becoming a
concern in modern society and has been extensively studied in recent years e.g. [1-6]. The
impact of light pollution is now not only on the astronomical observations but also on natural
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution
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environments and human health in many ways. For example, disruption of circadian rhythms [3],
melatonin suppression [7], disrupted animal behavior and ecology [8], nesting and reproductive
interference [9], and altered ecosystem dynamics [10], etc.
The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) has been used since the 1970s to
collect meteorological and environmental data, including visible and thermal infrared imagery
of the Earth’s surface. The DMSP Operational Linescan System (OLS) sensor, onboard DMSP
satellites, measures the amount of light emitted from the Earth’s surface at night. In recent
years, this data has been used to create global maps of artificial light pollution. The first world
sky brightness atlas was created by [1] and refined by [3] who utilized DMSP-OLS data to
create a global atlas of light pollution, which showed the level of sky brightness in different
regions of the world. The study found that more than 80% of the world’s population lives under
light-polluted skies by that time.
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor, onboard the Suomi National
Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellite, was launched in 2011 and has been used to collect
high-resolution data on natural and artificial sources of light at night. The NPP-VIIRS sensor
has improved sensitivity and dynamic range compared to the DMSP-OLS sensor, providing more
accurate data on light pollution levels [4].
In recent years, satellite images have been used to measure the sky brightness, utilizing data
from DMSP and NPP-VIIRS satellites . The atlas from [3] shows that more than 80% of the
world populations had already lived under light-polluted skies. The Milky Way has already been
hidden from more than one-third of humanity by 2016.
In Thailand, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) in
corperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has kicked off the campainge ”Dark
Sky in Thailand” in 2020 to promote astro-tourism in Thailand. While Chiang Rai has been
well-known among tourist in Thailand as the destination of stargazing activities for decades,
there is no dark sky map of Chiang Rai yet to be promoted.
The aim of this study is to create the first sky brightness map over Chaing Rai, even if not
to carry on any primary observation yet, via using a thee decades data from DMSP and NPP-
VIIRS to point out the dark sky area in each Bortle class and predict the light pollution in the
future.
2. Methodology and result

The data from DMSP and NPP-VIIRS give the ratio of artificial light/natural light [1]. Natural
lighting levels are governed by natural celestial sources, mainly the Moon, natural atmospheric
emission (a.k.a. airglow), stars light, the Milky Way light, and zodiacal light. Meanwhile the
artificial light levels are from the electricity and man-made light. During moonless nights, the
luminance of the clear sky background far from the Milky Way and zodiacal light is about
22 magnitude per square arcsecond (mag/arcsec2 ) in the Johnson-Cousins V-band which is
equivalent to 1.7 × 104 cd/m2 [3].
The raster file covering Chiang Rai, located at latitude between 19◦ N - 20.5◦ N and longitude
between 99.25◦ E - 100.75◦ E, from DMSP-OLS (1992-2013)1 and NPP-VIIRS (2013-2021)2 were
collected and clipped according to the shape of Chiang Rai. The sky brightness data was then
reclassified based on 8 Bortle classes with colour code and in magnitude as suggested by [1],[11] :
1. Excellent dark sky sites (>21.9 mag, black), 2. Dark sky (21.9-21.5 mag, grey), 3. Rural sky
(21.5-21.3 mag, blue), 4. Suburban/Rural transition sky (21.3-20.1 mag, green), 5. Suburban
sky (20.1-19.1 mag, yellow), 6. Bright suburban sky (19.1-19.5 mag, orange), 7. City/suburban
transition sky (19.5-18.0 mag, red)and 8. City sky (<18.0 mag, white) as shown in table 1
1
available at https://ngdc.noaa.gov/eog/download.html
2
available at https://eogdata.mines.edu/products/vnl/
2
Table 1. Levels of the sky brightness in Bortle classes with colour code that corresponding to
sky brightness magnitude and naked eye limiting magnitude adopted from [11].
Colour Bortle naked eye limiting sky brightness Artificial/Natural

code class magnitude (mag/arcsec2 )
Black 1 7.6 - 8.0 >21.90 <0.01
Grey 2 7.1 - 7.5 21.90 - 21.50 0.11-0.33
Blue 3 6.6 - 7.0 21.50 - 21.30 0.33-1.00
Green 4 6.1 - 6.5 21.30 - 20.80 1.00 - 3.00
Yellow 5 5.6 - 6.0 20.80 - 20.10 3.00 - 9.00
Orange 6 5.1 - 5.5 20.10 - 19.10 3.00 - 9.00
Red 7 4.6 - 5.0 19.10 - 18.00 9.00 - 27.00
White 8, 9 4.1 - 4.5, <4.0 <18.00 >27.00
Noted : In this paper we designated sky brightness which is brighter than Bortle class 6 can not
be promoted as tourist destination for stargazing due to the lack of visibility of the Milky Way.
with naked-eyes observation quality defined by the International Dark sky Association (IDA) as
described below:
(i) Bortle class 1: zodiacal light, gegeschein, airglow are visible by naked eyes. Scorpius and
Sagittarius regions of the Milky Way cast obvious shadows on the ground. Surroundings
are basically invisible.
(ii) Bortle class 2: Airglow weakly visible near horizon. Distinctly yellowish zodiacal light bright
enough to castshadows at dusk and dawn. Clouds only visible as dark holes. Surroundings
are only barely visible silhouetted against the sky. Many Messier globular clusters still
distinct for naked eyes.
(iii) Bortle class 3: Some light pollution evident at the horizon. Clouds are illuminated near
horizon. Milky Way is still appear across the sky. Surroundings are vaguely visible. M15,
M4 and M22 are distinct to the naked eyes.
(iv) Bortle class 4: Light pollution domes are visible in various directions over the horizon.
zodiacal light is still visible but not halfway extending to the zenith at dusk or dawn. Milky
Way above the horizon is still impressive but lack of details. Clouds are illuminated in the
directions of the light sources, but still dark overhead. Surroundings are clearly visible even
from a distance.
(v) Bortle class 5: Only hints of zodiacal lights are seen at the best clear nights. milky Way
is very weak or invisible near the horizon and looks washed out overhead. Clouds are
noticeably brighter than the sky.
(vi) Bortle class 6: Zodiacal light is invisible. Milky Way is only visible near the zenith. Sky
within 35◦ from the horizon glows greyish white. Clouds appear fairly bright. M31 is
moderately apparent to the naked eyes.
(vii) Bortle class 7: Entire sky has a greyish-white hue. Strong light sources are evident in all
directions. Milky Way is invisible. M31 may be glimpsed but very indistinct with naked
eyes.
(viii) Bortle class 8: Sky glows obviously white or orange. M31 is barely glimpsed by an
experienced observer on clear nights. Only bright Messier objects can be detected even
with telescope. Constellations patterns are weak.
3
Figure 1. Correlation between data from DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS data in year 2013
showed the great matching relationship (R2 = 0.92) which revealed the model was feasible and
reliable.
(ix) Bortle class 9: Sky is brilliantly bright. No Messier objects are visible to the naked eyes.
Only the Moon and bright planets are visible.
The data extension of the average visible stable light were used. This extension contains the
lights from cities, town, and other sites with persistent lighting, including gas flare (which is not
included in the other data extension). In this extension; ephemeral events, such as fires have
been discarded; the background noise was also identified and replace with values of zero yielding
the output data to range from 1-63.
Resulting artificial/natural light ratio from imagery were then converted into the sky
brightness in mag/arcsec2 , Bortle classes and its colour code which is corresponding to the
naked eye limiting magnitude as shown in table 1.
Correlation between data from DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS data in year 2013 was carried
out resulting in a Pearson correlation value of 0.852. This indicate that two variables have a
significant and positive relationship between each other. If DMSP-OLS data increases, then
NPP-VIIRS will also increase. However, the T-test between DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS
suggested that there was a significant difference in sky brightness at 0.05. Therefore, it is
not possible to show the sky brightness values of DMSP-OLS in 2013 and NPP-VIIRS in 2014
against each other. Considering the DMSP-OLS sky brightness values during two consecutive
years can be described by linear equations as a correlation between data from DMSP-OLS data
in year 2012 and 2013 showed the great matching relationship as shown in figure 1 with following
relation
y = 0.0089x2 + 0.2734x + 4.9482 (R2 = 0.92) (1)

when y is modelled NPP-VIIRS, and x is observed DMSP-OLS. This revealed the model was
feasible and reliable. In conclusion, the sky brightness model from 2014 to 2021 was generated
4
from the mean of the linear model of DMSP-OLS with NPP-VIIRS. A map model of 2012 to
2021 (shown in figure 2) were generated from the mean of the linear model of DMSP-OLS with
NPP-VIIRS.
A map model of 2012 to 2021 (shown in figure 2 for year 2012 - 2021) was generated from
the mean of the linear model of DMSP-OLS with NPP-VIIRS. It is found to be continuous and
can be described by a following polynomial equation
y = 7.428x2 − 218.76x + 7417.5 (R2 = 0.873) (2)
when y is number of sky brightness brighter than Bortle class 6 designated as problematic
stargazing areas (in km2 ), and x is an order of years starting from 1992. These maps were
extracted the sky brightness data for the years 1992 - 2021 as shown in figure 2.
Figure 2. Changing in sky brightness of Chiang Rai since 1992–2021 presented in Bortle classes
: 1. Excellent dark sky sites (>21.9 mag, black), 2. Dark sky (21.9-21.5 mag, grey), 3. Rural sky
(21.5-21.3 mag, blue), 4. Suburban/Rural transition sky (21.3-20.1 mag, green), 5. Suburban
sky (20.1-19.1 mag, yellow), 6. Bright suburban sky (19.1-19.5 mag, orange), 7. City/suburban
transition sky (19.5-18.0 mag, red) 8. City sky (<18.0 mag, white).
5
Figure 3. Changing in sky brightness of Chiang Rai since 1992–2021 presented in number of
area in each Bortle class.
Changing in sky brightness of Chiang Rai since 1992–2021 can be seen obviously in figures 2
and 3. By using this rate of changing, we may see the evolution of sky brightness that developed
to be brighter and brighter in selected top 18th tourist destinations of Chiang Rai as shown in
figure 4.
In addition, the number of area in each district of Chaing Rai where citizens living under a
sky brightness at giving Bortle class were presented in table 2. It was found that 14% of area
in Chiang Rai are covering by the bright sky with Bortle class 7 and 8. The most recent dark
sky map of Chiang Rai in 2021 was presented according to each districts in figure 5
By overlaying our map to the Chiang Rai population distribution census, it is revealed that
within this only 14% of area dwell more than 33% of Chiang Rai population mainly in the big
municipalities including Mueang Chiang Rai, Maew Sai and Chiang Khong municipalities which
are seen white in figure 5. It can be cocluded that more than 33% of people in Chiang Rai have
now already lost naked eye visibility of the Milky Way.
6
Figure 4. Changing in sky brightness over time of top 18 tourist destinations in Chiang Rai.
Noted that data in 2009 was neglected due to bad data composite.
3. Discussion
If we designate the sky Bortle class fainter than class 6 as an indicator of a dark sky area which
suitable for stargazing, a risk assessment model for dark sky conservation in Chiang Rai reveals
that dark sky area are dramatically becoming extinction. With the total sky area covering
Chiang Rai of 14,423 km2 , dark sky area were decreased from ∼ 11,000 km2 (during 1992 -
2009) to 8,000 km2 (in 2010) and to 6,000 km2 (in 2011). A map model of 2012 to 2021,
generated from the mean of the linear model of DMSP-OLS with NPP-VIIRS, suggested that
Chiang Rai will not have an area suitable for stargazing by 2040 if there is no designated area
for conservation.
7
Table 2. Area in each district of Chaing Rai where citizens living under a sky brightness at
giving Bortle class.
no. Amper Area (km2 ) Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 Class 7 Class 8
1 Mueang Chiang Rai 2046 452 (22%) 4 (0.2%) 1025 (50%) 394 (19%) 171 (8.4%)
2 Wiang Chai 435 3 (1%) 0 305 (70%) 122 (28%) 5 (1%)
3 Chiang Khong 948 75 (8%) 0 742 (78%) 127 (13%) 4 (0.4%)
4 Thoeng 1059 25 (2%) 0 928 (88%) 106 (10%) 0
5 Phan 1209 155 (13%) 2 (0.2%) 932 (77%) 120 (10%) 0
6 Pa Daet 317 0 0 273 (86%) 44 (14%) 0
7 Mae Chan 846 107 (13%) 2 (0.2%) 508 (60%) 229 (27%) 0
8 Chiang Saen 563 51 (9%) 0 303 (54%) 198 (35%) 11 (2%)
9 Mae Sai 376 0 0 146 (39%) 196 (52%) 34 (9%)
10 Mae Saruai 1739 681 (39%) 0 1038 (60%) 20 (1%) 0
11 Wiang Pa Pao 1528 630 (41%) 1 (0.1%) 816 (53%) 81 (5%) 0
12 Phaya Mengrai 581 79 (14%) 2 (0.3%) 464 (80%) 36 (6%) 0
13 Wiang Kaen 578 43 (7%) 2 (0.3%) 533 (92%) 0 (0%) 0
14 Khun Tan 329 2 (1%) 0 305 (93%) 22 (7%) 0
15 Mae Fa Luang 828 168 (20%) 0 653 (79%) 7 (1%) 0
16 Mae Lao 266 6 (2%) 0 184 (69%) 76 (29%) 0
17 Wiang Chiang Rung 337 12 (4%) 0 321 (95%) 4 (1%) 0
18 Doi Luang 397 30 (8%) 0 356 (90%) 11 (3%) 0
Missing data points 41 8 (20%) 0 33 (80%) 0 0
Total 14423* 2527 (18% ) 13 (0.1%) 9865 (68%) 1793 (12%) 225 (2%)
Noted : * The presented total area of Chiang Rai is larger than that suggested in the Chiang
Rai census (i.e. 11,678 km2 ) due to the satellites resolution of 30 arcsec (∼ 0.98 km2 at
equator).
4. Summary and future work

This is the first research paper of Thailand that used DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS to create a
Dark Sky Map. The paper utilized DMSP-OLS data to create an atlas of light pollution from
1992-2013, and NPP-VIIRS data to provide more accurate and detailed maps of light pollution
from 2013-2021 and compared to DMSP-OLS data. The resulting Dark Sky Map showed the
level of sky brightness in different regions of Chiang Rai, highlighting the extent of light pollution
and the need for measures to combat it. The paper highlighted the extent of light pollution in
many areas and its impact on human health, wildlife, and astronomical observations.
To combat the adverse effects of light pollution, the concept of Dark Sky Parks and Reserves
has been established, where light pollution is minimized to protect the natural night sky. To
determine the extent of light pollution in a particular region, a Dark Sky Map can be created,
which shows the level of sky brightness due to artificial light.
Our map could ultimately encourage land owners of such dark sky sites to register their
properties in the IAU dark sky reserve database to elevate Astro-tourism in Chiang Rai. In this
year of 2023, we have initiated the first Dark Sky Tourism project in Chiang Rai called ”Roi
Rak Tee Homelomjoy” which is the pioneer work to conserve the dark sky site in Chiang Rai.
While Homelomjoy (see figure 6) is locating in the orange area with Bortle class 6 in the map
(figure 5), the actual measurement of sky brightness using a sky quality meter (SQM) on site
was 21.08 magnitude/arcsec2 corresponding to Bortle class 4 (green color in the map) even in
the dusty night of February 2023. Thus we strongly suggest that the proper measurement of
sky brightness by using either the SQM or other reliable equipment should be carried on over
Chiang Rai to check if our map generated from the average sky brightness throughout each year
is trustworthy.
Finally, in order to raise awareness in dark sky reservation in Thailand, the dark sky map
covering the country should be carried out. Dark sky map of Thailand would be used as tools
8
Figure 5. Dark sky map of Chinag Rai in 2021. Designated numbers are corresponing to those
presented in table 2.
in promoting dark sky tourism alongside with Astro-tourism in Thailand. The map will benefit
not only private business sector but also the government of Thailand.
In terms of any suggested related public policy, as with any area of dark-sky tourism activity,
the approach taken to regulate light pollution can benefit the wider local economy. While
there is no exact legal definition of what constitutes the regulatory light pollution frameworks
in Thailand, a broad view would include the legal principles and processes for developing and
standardising dark-sky policy in nationwide, including 1.) who specifies and defines the dark-sky
tourism activities and environmentally friendly lighting controls in dark-sky preservation areas
which are sustainably regulated, 2.) how that international dark-sky standards is implemented,
9
Figure 6. Homelomjoy locating in the orange area with Bortle class 6 in the map, but the actual
measurement of sky brightness using as SQM on site was 21.08 magnitude/arcsec2 corresponding
to Bortle class 4 (green color).
3.) the consequences for failing to adhere to regulatory dark-sky lighting requirements and 4.)
how legal rights and obligations apply to local authorities, communities and tourists. Again,
the regulation of dark-sky protection areas and intrinsically dark locations is a technically
challenging and continually evolving area of light pollution policy at both national and provincial
levels. With the right framework in place, regulation of light pollution will be able to eﬀiciently
and environmentally meet the dark-sky tourism targets described above over the long-term.
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Protection of the Quality of the Skies of Northern Chile (OPCC) DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11949.31206
10

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PAPER • OPEN ACCESS You may also like

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This content was downloaded from IP address 124.120.157.33 on 18/02/2024 at 07:16

The first dark sky map of Chiang Rai : three

2. Methodology and result

Colour Bortle naked eye limiting sky brightness Artificial/Natural

y = 0.0089x2 + 0.2734x + 4.9482 (R2 = 0.92) (1)

y = 7.428x2 − 218.76x + 7417.5 (R2 = 0.873) (2)

4. Summary and future work

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