Measurement of the Quality of the Night Sky as A Feasibility Study for Astronomy Tourism Using A Sky Quality Meter at Jurang Senggani Campground, Tulungagung Regency, East Java

Abstract

Measurement of the sky’s brightness at night is needed in observatories of celestial bodies. This research utilizes tourism in Tulungagung Regency to increase tourist attraction to the beauty of celestial objects such as stars, moon, etc. In addition, it provides information to astronomical tourism whether or not the place is suitable for research. This study measures the sky’s brightness at a certain time based on the region and position of the moon. The method used is observation using Sky Quality Meter. The places used are the Senggani Jurang Campground, Tulungagung Regency. This study was conducted for 16 days using SQM-L and SQM-LU which were performed every 10 minutes. The data obtained from the observations will then be analyzed using correlation between time and the value of sky brightness with MPSAS (Magnitude Per Square ArcSecond) units. This research results show that the best sky brightness value is 22.79 MPSAS. It shows that on average throughout the night light pollution is very little. From the results of the observation data that has been done, it can be said that the Senggani Jurang Campground, Tulungagung Regency has the potential to become astronomical tourism.