The 1997 reference of diffuse night sky brightness

Ch. Leinert (1) , S. Bowyer (2) , L. K. Haikala (3) , M. S. Hanner (4) , M. G. Hauser (5) , Anny Chantal Levasseur-Regourd (6) , I. Mann (7) , K. Mattila (3) , W. T. Reach (8) , W. Schlosser (9) , H. J. Staude (1) , G. N. Toller (10) , J. L. Weiland (11) , J. L. Weinberg (12) , A. N. Witt (13)

1 MPIA - Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
2 Department of Astronomy [Berkeley]
3 Helsinki Observatory
4 JPL - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
5 STSci - Space Telescope Science Institute
6 SA - Service d'aéronomie
7 MPI Aeronomie - Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie
8 IAS - Institut d'astrophysique spatiale
9 Astronomisches Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum
10 General Sciences Corporation
11 Hughes STX Corporation [Greenbelt]
12 MK Industries
13 Ritter Astrophysical Research Center

In the following we present material in tabular and graphical form, with the aim to allow the nonspecialist to obtain a realistic estimate of the diffuse night sky brightness over a wide range of wavelengths from the far UV longward of Lyα to the far-infrared. At the same time the data are to provide a reference for cases in which background brightness has to be discussed, including the planning for space observations and the issue of protection of observatory sites. We try to give a critical presentation of the status at the beginning of 1997.

Keywords: diffuse radiation -interplanetary medium -atmospheric effects -astronomical dabases; miscellaneous -infrared; general -ultraviolet; general Contents

Domains: Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics [physics.ao-ph]

Ch. Leinert, S. Bowyer, L. K. Haikala, M. S. Hanner, M. G. Hauser, et al.. The 1997 reference of diffuse night sky brightness. Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series, 1998, 127, pp.1-99. ⟨insu-03527749⟩