Effect of light pollution on night sky limiting magnitude and sky quality in selected areas in Malaysia

Abstract

We investigate the effect of light pollution as the important considerations that limits the quality of the sky brightness for the astronomical purpose. Selected sites that covered: Klang, Selangor, Merlimau Melaka, Ipoh, Perak ad Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia have been chosen in order to investigate the visual estimation magnitude for observing visible stars. The results also based on Bortle scale theory provides glimpses of potential quality of night sky quality that is currently lost in most urban area in Malaysia. From the results, Kuala Lipis, Pahang is the best candidate site for astronomical purpose with the range of magnitude from 20.3 till 21.5 magnitudes per arc second. Some recommendation for a better solution will also be discussed.