China’s latest satellite could be the answer to solving urban light pollution
Our fight against urban light pollution is due to our shared desire to see the stars that are blocked out by the bright city lights. Chinese scientists developed SDGSAT-1, which is the answer. The analysis of the effects of modern lighting on cities is being rapidly progressed by this earth science marvel. The team behind this innovative approach, hailing from the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has showcased a method that could change the way we light up our urban nights.
Although LEDs reduce carbon emissions, they also increase the levels of blue light pollution.
The switch to energy-efficient lighting, specifically LEDs, has been both a blessing and a curse. Despite reducing carbon emissions, blue light pollution has been introduced as a new challenge. This results in a negative impact on human health, as well as disruption of wildlife and wasted energy. There has never been a greater need for a solution.
SDGSAT-1 is a satellite that is capable of pinpointing various light sources with remarkable precision. Identifying different types of artificial light in the night (ALAN) and streetlights in Beijing was demonstrated by the scientists with a success rate of 92 to 95 percent. A clear picture of how light pollution differs across various parts of the city is now available through this game-changing high-resolution multispectral analysis.
The study not only highlights problems but also opens the door to smarter urban planning. City planners can now make informed decisions to reduce the impact of light pollution with detailed insights into its spatial distribution. Based on road types and streetlight technologies, there are significant differences in lighting, which underscores the importance of thoughtful infrastructure development in reducing pollution.
Established with the intention of aiding the United Nations. This satellite is given valuable data by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to monitor how we interact with our environment. 147 cities across 105 countries will be covered by the world’s first urban nighttime light atlas, released last year, and there’s still much work to be done.