First light pollution station in Panama

The project develops the first monitoring network of light pollution and atmospheric conditions along the Panama Canal watershed. Its main objective is to characterize how artificial nighttime light is scattered and amplified in the tropical atmosphere, and how these changes in nighttime illumination can influence, according to previous scientific evidence, ecological processes (nocturnal pollinator activity and nocturnal plant physiology) and the water cycle balance (carbon exchange and transpiration). Therefore, in the medium and long term, in operational considerations linked to the environmental management of the basin.

The initiative combines high-precision ground-based instrumentation (multi-channel photometers, spectrometers, all-sky cameras, atmospheric sensors) with remote sensing data from the International Space Station (ISS) and other satellite campaigns. The project integrates photometric, spectral and atmospheric analyses to generate a physical understanding of nighttime illumination in tropical environments, a field where data and methodologies are scarce.

Scope:
- Three monitoring substations in the Atlantic, central Canal and Pacific.
- Development of tropicalized astronomical domes, electronics and computer control made in Panama.
- Modeling of nighttime light brightness, color and scattering, along with aerosol profiles and atmospheric variables.
- Integration with ISS images.

Value of the project: generate solid scientific knowledge that will allow establishing modern lighting regulations, reduce environmental impacts and contribute to the sustainable management of the Canal watershed (green route 2050).

PRELIMINARY RESULTS
- Production of the first systematic data of brightness and color of the night sky in Panama, with free international access through the TESS-4C platform:

https://tess.dashboards.stars4all.eu/d/0gUheXrnk/tess-4c?orgId=1&var-TessMC=stars1315&from=now-6M&to=now

- Implementation of the first internal nighttime lighting management measures in the research building of the Technological University of Panama, based on photometric criteria and scientific evidence. This progress represents an initial step towards the future adoption of good practices and guidelines for night lighting at the institutional and, potentially, national level.

Expected impact:
- To evaluate the effects of artificial lighting on nocturnal pollinators and dependent ecosystems in the Panama Canal watershed.
- Define a scientific baseline for future lighting regulations in Panama.
- Improve energy efficiency and environmental quality in critical areas of the basin.
- Strengthen national capacities in instrumentation, data analysis and remote sensing.

Location

In the route of the Panama Canal: 1) Caribbean entrance, 2) intermediate point (Gamboa) and 3) Pacific.

Collaborations

Smithsonian Institute, Technological University of Panama and Panama City Hall.

Publications in scientific and similar journals

See José Robles Rodríguez's Google Scholar here

Robles, J., Zamorano, J., Pascual, S., Sánchez de Miguel, A., Gallego, J., & Gaston, K. J. (2021). Evolution of Brightness and Color of the Night Sky in Madrid. Remote Sensing, 13(8), 1511. https://doi.org/ $$10.3390/rs13081511$$

See here

International Dark-Sky Association Pittsburgh Chapter (2021). Blue skies over Madrid, but not during the day.

See here

Robles Rodríguez, J. L. (2022). The Evolution of light pollution using measurements of night sky brightness and color in Madrid [Doctoral thesis, Universidad Complutense de Madrid]. Docta.

See here

Thesis work done during the project:

Title: Interoperability, cryptography and
télécommunication de la première station de
light pollution monitoring in panama

Author: Alexandre Olivié

University: École Nationale Supérieure d'Électronique, Informatique, Télécommunications, Mathématique et Mécanique de Bordeaux

ENSEIRB-MATMECA of Bordeaux INP (Institut National Polytechnique Bordeaux).

Study center: Telecommunication - option networks, security and connected object

Download Thesis here

Title: Automation for the Download of Nocturnal Satellite Images for Monitoring Light Pollution in the Panama Canal Watershed.

Author: José De Los Santos Jaén Jaén.

Study center: Technological University of Panama (UTP)

Career: Bachelor's Degree in Software Development

Download Thesis here

Work Team

My name is José Robles and I am the project manager of the first light pollution station in the Republic of Panama. We study the brightness and color of the night sky along the Panama Canal watershed using high precision photometric and spectrometric measurements.
We work with professional instrumentation: astronomical cameras in Johnson U, B, V, R and I bands, four-channel photometers, spectrometers and our own acquisition systems. We design and build our own hardware, including mini-domes for tropical climates and electronic circuitry made in Panama.
Our goal is to understand how artificial nighttime light, measured at multiple wavelengths, alters nocturnal pollinator activity, affects forest growth and plant respiration, and eventually modifies the water cycle in the Canal watershed; it is preventive research based on quantitative evidence.
Dr. José Robles, principal investigator of the project at INDICATIC AIP

My name is Kevin Chaw, I am an electronics engineer and laboratory manager for the light pollution project in Panama. I coordinate the use of monitoring instruments, the collection and processing of geospatial data, as well as the development of models that assess the environmental and social impact of light pollution.
Kevin Chaw, Lab Manager, INDICATIC AIP

My name is Katherine Gálvez L., I am an Electronic Electrical Engineer and Technical Assistant at INDICATIC AIP. Within the Light Pollution Project, I have collaborated in the design and printing of 3D models and electronic circuit boards. This experience has allowed me to grow in the scientific field, specifically, in electronic applications for astronomical and environmental monitoring purposes. In addition, being closer to high-tech equipment used for spectral analysis and deep sky astrophotography has motivated me to continue building a more robust professional and academic profile.
Katherine Gálvez, Technical Engineering Assistant at INDICATIC AIP

My name is José Jaén, I am a software development engineer. In the project of the first light pollution monitoring station in the Panama Canal watershed, I develop scientific controllers in operating multiplatforms and communications systems for photometric and spectrometric instrumentation. Additionally, I collaborate in 3D printing for the adaptation of light-sensitive sensors to tropical latitudes.
José Jaén, Software Developer at INDICATIC AIP

@TropicalALAN_Lab_PTY #environment #tropical #alan

https://github.com/INDICATIC-AIP

Publications in Scientific Journals

See José Robles Rodríguez's Google Scholar here

See here

International Dark-Sky Association Pittsburgh Chapter (2021). Blue skies over Madrid, but not during the day.

See here

Robles Rodríguez, J. L. (2022). The Evolution of light pollution using measurements of night sky brightness and color in Madrid [Doctoral thesis, Universidad Complutense de Madrid]. Docta.

See here