Measuring Light Pollution at the Jackson Hole Airport

In a cooperative project between the JH Airport and the J(H) Astronomy Club, we undertook in 2008 to measure light emissions from the airport as they impact light pollution in Grand Teton National Park and the local community.  Baseline measurements were accomplished, and future measurements will determine to what effect (Pos or Neg) the airport facility has on our valley.  The airport has been conscientious in its efforts to limit light pollution and this monitoring program demonstrates their willingness to be pro-active in keeping pollution to a minimum.  We in the local astronomy club, applaud their concern & their willingness to participate in this ongoing measuring study.  wf

This is a site map of the airport & nearby neighborhood and other nearby identifying features.  Red letters indicate locations for measuring.  For consistency, measurements are accomplished around or after midnight, near the new moon, for maximum opportunity for complete darkness which would only be influenced by lighting at the airport.

General info: The higher the number on the meter reading, the darker the area that was surveyed.  Max dark reading is 22+.
Unihedron Sky Quality Meter FAQ webpage
Readings made when runway landing lights are turned off. (Tower closes nightly after commercial operations cease, by 2130 hrs./9:30pm)

Position (see map for corresponding letter), Notes, Latitude x Longitude
A -   By access road & windsock                                                                                                                      43 deg. 36.351  x  110 deg. 44.150
B -   North ramp                                                                                                                                                                36.320 x                   44.215
C -   S. commercial ramp                                                                                                                                                  36.154  x                   44.301
D -   N (General Aviation aircraft) GA ramp – Edge of taxiway                                                                                36.088  x                   44.330
E -   Mid GA ramp                                                                                                                                                            36.016  x                    44.369
F -   S GA ramp                                                                                                                                                                 35.946  x                    44.403
G -   GA parking lot                                                                                                                                                           35.920  x                   44.252
H -   Control tower, N edge of pavement (horiz. 45 deg. to hangar area, avoid rotating beacon)                         36.484  x                   44.555
I –   Spring Gulch Rd. (SGR) across from helo base flag pole                                                                                     36.089  x                   44.663
J -    S runway centerline from SGR                                                                                                                               35.660  x                   44.645
K -   N runway centerline from Meadow Rd.                                                                                                                 37.506  x                   43.741
L -   Junction w/Hwy. 89 at access road stop sign (first measurement)                                                                   36.043  x                   43.466

Jackson Hole Airport                                 Jackson (Hole) Astronomy Club

* - Readings notably worse    ** - Readings notably better    * - Worst reading    ** - Best reading

           1/3/08     8/19/09    Future readings...
Pos.     Vertical Readings
A -       20.69        19.1*
B -       20.52        19.59
C -       19.96         20.75
D -       20.02        21**
E -       20.3           21.29**
F -       20.17         21.15**
G -      20.2           21.35**
H -      20.65         21.15
I –       20.12         21.5**
J -       20.28         21.62**
K -      21.28          21.7
L -                          21.6
          Horizontal Readings
A -                         14.14
B -                         14.5
C -                         15.47
D -                         15.1
E -                         14.94
F -                         14.08
G -                         14.76
H -    17.07           17.22
I -     16.13           17.28**
J -     15.11           18.73**
K -    19.1             19.52
L -                         21.1

8/19/09 - Paul Walters (airport rep) & Walt Farmer (JHAC rep), Astronomy Club's (SQM) Sky Quality Meter A
Approx. 1.5 hrs. starting at 0030 hrs. on 8/19/09.  Temp in low 50s, no clouds, sky transparency very good.  Cygnus (Deneb)/Milky Way at zenith.  No adverse effect from current terminal construction
    upgrade.  Ramp lighting was minimal except for one or two apparent mercury-vapor lights over a GA hangar.
1/3/08 - Ron Campbell (airport rep) & Walt Farmer (JHAC rep), very cold & clear, Castor near zenith.
Two mtr. readings taken for each spot (both vert & horiz), and averaged.  (Meter ranges up to .30 difference between same area readings < 1 min. apart.)
Horizontal readings taken 90 deg. to position toward terminal ground lighting, except near tower (H) where reading was 45 deg. across runway toward hangar lighting.
All positions reconfirmed with initial measurements via GPS readouts (Garmin GPS III+).

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