Analysis of light pollution using satellite and ground-based data: The measurement of Antalya

This thesis investigates light pollution in Antalya, Turkey, employing both satellite and ground-based data to offer a comprehensive assessment of light emissions and their implications. The research addresses a significant gap in light pollution studies for the region, combining measurements from the Sky Quality Meter (SQM) at TÜBİTAK National Observatory and NASA's VIIRS Black Marble datasets. The study aims to quantify light pollution trends from 2012 to 2023, assess energy loss due to artificial lighting, and examine correlations between PM2,5 concentrations and light radiance. Methods include custom monthly and annual composites to ensure accuracy and comparability, and careful pre-processing to manage cloud cover and pixel quality, resulting in precise radiance values. Findings reveal a substantial increase in light radiance across Antalya's districts, particularly around urban developments, with light emissions showing no significant declines across the decade. Total energy loss into space due to light pollution is estimated, amounting to 0.256% of Turkey's total energy consumption in 2023. Correlation analysis reveals no significant link between light radiance measurements and PM2,5 concentrations, suggesting that particulate matter's impact on light pollution may be limited or overwhelmed by other factors in the region. This thesis provides foundational insights into Antalya's light pollution dynamics, valuable for environmental policy and urban planning. Future research should focus on expanded ground-based monitoring and biological or urban impacts, while addressing the limitations acknowledged in this thesis.