BORTLE Meaning and
Definition
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Bortle is a term that is primarily used in the field of astronomy and refers to a nine-level scale devised by John E. Bortle in 2001 to measure the overall darkness of the night sky at any given location. It serves to categorize the impact of artificial light pollution and other interfering factors on the visibility of celestial objects from a specific area.
The Bortle scale ranges from Class 1, representing the darkest skies with minimal light pollution, to Class 9, characterized by severe light pollution causing almost no celestial objects to be visible. Each class on the scale describes the visible features, such as the number of stars and the extent of light domes, that can be observed under ideal conditions in a specific location.
Bortle ratings take into account several factors, including the presence of artificial lighting, the brightness and positioning of natural light sources like the moon and stars, atmospheric conditions, and the observer's ability to perceive faint objects. Astronomers often use this scale as a tool to assess the suitability of an observing site, enabling them to select optimal locations for stargazing or astronomical research.
Understanding the level of bortle at a particular area can aid astronomers in finding sites with darker skies, thereby enhancing their ability to observe faint objects, such as galaxies, nebulae, and other deep-sky objects, more effectively.
Similar spelling words for BORTLE
