Unihedron Photometer Sky Quality meter, Ethernet, with lens (version LE)

Sky Quality Meter - Simplifying Night Sky Brightness Assessment

The Sky Quality Meter offers a straightforward method to objectively determine the background brightness of the night sky within seconds. Its compact and lightweight design ensures portability, fitting seamlessly into any pocket. This enables effortless comparisons between different observing locations, aiding in the selection of optimal spots for astronomical activities.

Unlike subjective assessments influenced by observer experience, physical condition, and eyesight, the Sky Quality Meter operates independently of such factors.

Functioning as a photometric tool, the device utilizes a built-in diode to measure sky brightness, displaying results in red numerals in mag/square arcsec on its screen. Upon pressing the red button, the device swiftly completes a measurement within 8 seconds, emitting tones at one-second intervals. Measurement is confined to the visible spectrum, complemented by temperature readings in Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Apart from assessing sky brightness for observing purposes, the SQM finds utility in diverse projects. For instance, it can document changes in light pollution at specific locations over time. Furthermore, it facilitates comparisons between observing locations and discerns variations in sky quality across different nights at the same site.