Basic Info
Projects
| Project | Type | Duration |
|
Quantifying Light Propagation Parameters for Modern ArtificialLighting: Ground Reflection, Cloud Impact and Dynamic Sources
Program: APVV
Light pollution is a rapidly growing environmental challenge, with artificial night lighting increasing by 2.2% annuallyand 6% in European areas. This innovative research project addresses critical gaps in understanding light pollutionthrough three work packages that combine cutting-edge measurement techniques with advanced theoreticalmodeling.The research investigates three key areas of light dynamics: ground reflection under LED lighting, cloud impacts onlight propagation, and vehicle lighting contributions. Using drone-based measurements, systematic cloud conditionanalyses, and novel headlight impact assessments, the project will develop comprehensive models that challengeexisting simplified understanding of light pollution.Led by Dr. Stefan Wallner at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the interdisciplinary team will exploreunprecedented aspects of light propagation. By creating three-dimensional light mapping, analyzing over 500 cloudscenarios, and developing new algorithms for tracking light sources, the research promises significant advances inenvironmental and atmospheric science. Expected outcomes include enhanced modeling tools, new measurement protocols, public datasets, and at leasttwelve peer-reviewed publications. The project aims to support more sustainable urban lighting practices byproviding critical insights into how artificial light interacts with urban and natural environments.This research represents a crucial step in understanding and mitigating the complex phenomenon of light pollution, offering practical solutions for urban planners, ecologists, and environmental scientists.
|
national | 1.9.2025 – 31.8.2029 |
|
Optical characterization of particles in exteriors and interiors
Program: VEGA
Small size particles can easily penetrate different environments and have a detrimental effect on human health on both the interior and exterior. In addition to their negative impacts on the health of the population, micrometer-sized particles determine the distribution of diffuse daylight as well as its availability indoors. Environmental turbidity is a critical factor for predicting the amount of solar energy (photovoltaic, PV). Currently, most models assume that particles are spherical in shape, and this limitation is expected to have minimal impact on the accuracy of model predictions. However, such models suffer from a systematic bias, as the particles in urban environments are neither spherical nor spheroidal, and their varying shapes contribute to amplitude fluctuations of direct and diffuse radiation components. The goal of the project is to determine the effect of particle shape on detected radiation and to develop optical methods for characterizing particles in their natural environment.
|
national | 1.1.2024 – 31.12.2027 |
|
International network for harmonization of atmospheric aerosol retrievals from ground based photometers
Program: COST
Aerosols are particles floating in the Earth’s atmosphere linked with the largest uncertainty on estimates and interpretations of the Earth’s changing energy budget. Measurement principles differ depending on the desired derived aerosol optical parameter and on the measurement platform (surface or space).The common aerosol columnar properties’ retrieval techniques, consists of direct measurement of a bright source of radiation (sun, star, moon, sky) with a multi-wavelength photometers. Several global photometric aerosol networks exist. However, there are several instrumental, algorithm and hardware based differences on their related aerosol products and a global standardization is needed. In addition, in order to improve and optimize sun- and moon- photometric aerosol measurements, a network of aerosol scientists and operators, aerosol measurement users and software, hardware developers is needed.The objective of “ΗΑRΜΟΝΙΑ” Action is to establish a network involving institutions, instrument developers, scientific and commercial end users, in order to improve and homogenize aerosol retrievals using mainly solar and sky but also lunar and star photometers from different networks. It aims bridging user needs and the science and technology expertise residing in academia and industry, through:- Increasing the interactions and knowledge exchanges between several atmospheric aerosol network measurement scientists and users- Standardizing and improving of existing aerosol products and tools, towards a “harmony” in the aerosol photometry- Stimulating the communication between operational agencies and academia, with the aim to increase the applicability of aerosol products.- Encouraging and organizing the dialogue between researchers and instrument manufacturers, towards innovation actions on current and future photometric-aerosol instrumentation.
|
international | 1.10.2022 – 31.10.2026 |
|
The birth of solar systems (PLANETS)
Program: COST
Solar systems emerge from the dust, gas, and ice present in discs encircling newly-born stars. State-of-the-art images from current telescopes have revealed complex substructure (rings and gaps) in dust and gas that may be caused by forming planets. However, these observations have raised many questions regarding when and how planets form; for example, we see rings in discs too young to birth planets, and we measure disc masses too low to form a Solar System analogue. Further, the demographics provided by observations of extra-solar planetary systems have revealed huge diversity and hint that our Solar System may be unique. It is clear that our picture of the birth of Solar Systems remains incomplete despite these great advances in observations.This Action will create a multi-disciplinary network covering three cornerstones: experiments, models, and observations. Experimental data is needed to accurately prescribe physics in models of disc evolution and planet formation, and to correctly interpret observations of dust and gas emission. Models are a “virtual laboratory” within which the impact of physics can be explored, and from which observational diagnostics can be created. Finally, observations provide us with the benchmarks needed to confirm or refute our picture of Solar System birth.To build a holistic picture of how Solar Systems form can only be achieved with an interdisciplinary and pan-European network. This Action will provide the structure and funding needed to develop the research framework, provide training to the next generation, and to disseminate the findings to key stakeholders.
|
international | 1.9.2023 – 30.9.2027 |
|
Comprehensive model of light pollution propagation into the ambient environment
Program: APVV
The proliferation of outdoor artificial light at night is a global challenge that relates strongly to cities. The brightening of the night sky due to the phenomenon of skyglow touches on many social concerns from urban ecology to human health, energy security, and sustainability and climate change. Knowledge of the hemispherical night sky brightness (NSB) produced by ongoing expansion of outdoor lighting systems is a necessary step for characterizing the nighttime environment and monitoring the evolution of night sky quality. We intend to develop a comprehensive NSB model applicable for any site worldwide, while respecting the atmospheric conditions prevailing at the respective locality. By achieving an excellent match between theory and experiment, the model will (1) accurately assess the environmental impact of new outdoor lighting installations; (2) investigate the relationship between light pollution and other forms of environmental pollution; (3) elucidate how the nature of anthropogenic particles in the atmosphere relates to the formation of skyglow over cities; (4) predict how much light at night reaches the ground in and near cities; and (5) determine the value of specific outdoor lighting modernization efforts in reducing light pollution. Our strategy to develop a comprehensive model is to derive governing equations in analytic forms in order to provide a deep physical insight to the problem solved, interpret of the role of each parameter, discover dependencies otherwise hidden or unknown, and construct theoretically well-founded approximations. We will solve the vector radiative transfer equation in the Earth’s atmosphere, while determining Stokes parameters for arbitrary cloud coverage or light emissions from artificial sources. Through a combination of radiative transfer modeling and experimental validation, we deliver novel NSB mitigation strategies.
|
national | 1.7.2023 – 30.6.2027 |
Publications
| PETRŽALA, Jaromír – KOCIFAJ, Miroslav. PM2.5 as a proxy for aerosol optical depth in night sky brightness models. In Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2026, vol. 548, iss. 3, art. no. stag712. (2025: 5.2 – IF, Q1 – JCR, 1.852 – SJR, Q1 – SJR). ISSN 0035-8711. Dostupné na: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag712 (VEGA 2/0009/24 : Optická charakterizácia častíc vo vonkajšom a vnútornom prostredí. APVV-22-0020 : Komplexný model šírenia svetelného znečistenia do okolitého prostredia.) [ADCA] |
| WALLNER, Stefan** – KOCIFAJ, Miroslav – SILHA, J. Space debris contributions to night sky brightness: Comparing model predictions and implications for astronomical signal-to-noise ratios. In Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2026, vol. 708, art. no. L10. (2025: 6.1 – IF, Q1 – JCR, 2.052 – SJR, Q1 – SJR). ISSN 0004-6361. Dostupné na: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202557485 (VEGA 2/0010/20 : Difúzne svetlo v mestskom prostredí: nový model zohľadňujúci vlastnosti lokálnej atmosféry. APVV-22-0020 : Komplexný model šírenia svetelného znečistenia do okolitého prostredia. APVV-24-0627 : Kvantifikácia parametrov šírenia svetla pre moderné umeléosvetlenie: Povrchový odraz, vplyv oblakov a dynamické zdroje. 1384/03/01 : Meranie a modelovanie svetelného znečistenia.) [ADCA] |
