Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Night Sky Brightness, Temperature and Air Quality Index: Case Study in Shah Alam, Selangor

Abstract

In this preliminary study, we compared Night Sky Brightness (NSB) in Shah Alam during the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic in June 2021 with the same duration in June 2020. Sky Quality Meter (SQM) was used to measure NSB in unit Magnitude per Square Arc Second (MSAS) while temperature was in Celsius and they were collected in Shah Alam, Selangor. The air quality information was obtained from the Malaysian AQI website. This project investigates the impact of economic and social activities during MCO lockdown to NSB, air pollution and temperature. Within the analysed time frame, the results indicate that there are some effects produced by MCO lockdown to the observed light or NSB, temperature and air pollution. On the average, the NSB, temperature and AQI have decreased by 0.25, 1.55 and 1.0, respectively. This shows that during the MCO lockdown, the air is cleaner and cooler; and the sky is darker which originates from improved air quality due to less air and road traffics; plus less industrial and human outdoor activities.