NOTE: The 100 pt Astronomical V-Band Scale presented here by the AIM has not been formally peer reviewed. The experimental scale is included in these preliminary results to illustrate the utility of a measurement based 100 pt night sky "quality" index. On this scale 100 designates that there was no detectable artificial sky glow and 0 indicates a near total loss of natural stellar visibility due to the overwhelming presence of artificial sky glow. The AIM is solely responsible for these preliminary index results. This work was supported by the Natonal Park Service's (2008) Challenge Cost Share Program. Points of view are those of the author(s) and do not represent the position of the Department of the Interior.

Demonstration of the Astronomy Institute's Nightscape Survey System

These 6 preliminary results were submitted to the Astronomy Institute of Maine's National Park Service designated Agreement Technical Representative to document the successful transfer of government developed technology into the private sector for professional commercial service. They were generated for program evaluation purposes only, at the final conclusion of AIM's funded activity under our 5 year Cooperative Agreement with the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

"Replication is essential to the success of this initiative...With the technical support of the NPS, the non profit Island Astronomy Institute [now AIM] has acquired a dedicated NPS measurement system for the express purpose of making its capabilities available to the private sector."

-- John T. Kelly, Park Planner, and Agreement Technical Representative, Acadia National Park writing to the Ash Institute

This significant milestone was achieved by the Astronomy Institute of Maine in furtherance of Cooperative Agreement H1700080003 and AIM's contractual obligation under Task Agreement JI70008A003 which in its entirety states - "to measure, promote, and protect the quality of the night sky in Acadia National Park and its surrounding communities in collaboration with other public and private entities." Obligation Document

The agreement involved the refinement and development of all new measurement capabilites for AIM's Phase 2, large format system that did not exist at the start of the agreement.

"Kudos on your good work....There is absolutely nothing wrong with these data, as far as I am concerned,"

Dan Duriscoe NPS Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division

The 6 preliminary results - listed in order of highest natural visual quality per an Experimental Astronomical V-Band Scale. They were supported in part by the National Park Service's (2008) Challenge Cost Share Program. Points of view are those of the author(s) and do not represent the position of the Department of the Interior.

87.5 Schoodic Education & Research Center (SERC) -- Winter Harbor

SERC_Preliminary

86.3 Seawall -- Southwest Harbor

Seawall Preliminary

84.7 Otter Cliff -- Bar Harbor

Otter Cliff Preliminary

75.6 Cadillac Summit -- Bar Harbor

Cadillac Preliminary

72.2 Eagle Lake -- Bar Harbor

Eagle Lake Preliminary

TBD Jordan Pond -- Mount Desert

Jordan Pond Preliminary

The preliniary results submitted to the National Park Service did not include final analytical data, field notes, final reports and light dome calculations, as performance standards for reports documenting these innovative new measurement capabilites have yet to be defined

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