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Light Pollution in the Podhale Region – from Chochołów, through Zakopane, to Głodówka
Abstract
Light pollution is an increasingly serious environmental issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cloudiness and snow cover on the brightness of the night sky in the Podhale region. Measurements of the sky surface brightness were carried out between 2021 and 2025 using Sky Quality Meter (SQM-L) devices during six measurement campaigns, encompassing various combinations of atmospheric conditions and ski resort lighting. The results indicate that Zakopane is the main source of light pollution in the region, and that night sky brightness significantly increases in the presence of either clouds or snow cover. The highest brightness values were recorded when both factors occurred simultaneously, confirming their cumulative effect. A considerable increase in brightness was also observed near illuminated ski slopes. The findings are consistent with previous studies conducted in other regions of Europe and emphasize the need for continued monitoring of light pollution in the Podhale area, particularly in the context of seasonal tourism activities.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/b.2026.81.0.73-88
Date of publication: 2026-04-27 12:41:12
Date of submission: 2025-11-18 17:00:32
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aleksandra Krzemień, Anna Czaplicka, Zofia Czaplicka, Jakub Bartyzel
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