A groundbreaking scientific study titled “Multispectral Analysis of the Night Sky Brightness at Oukaimeden Observatory, Morocco” has been published in the prestigious Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS)—marking a historic first for Moroccan research into light pollution and its impact on astronomy and nocturnal ecosystems.

Led by Hamza Ait Abdelali, a PhD candidate at Cadi Ayyad University, the study was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Zouhair Benkhaldoun, President of the Atlas Dark Sky Foundation, with co-supervision by Prof. Martin Aubé of Cégep and Université de Sherbrooke (Canada), a global authority in light pollution modeling.

What the Study Reveals Using cutting-edge modeling tools, the research team assessed how artificial lighting from nearby urban centers—especially Marrakesh and Ourika Village—affects the night sky above Oukaimeden Observatory, one of Africa’s premier astronomical sites. The team utilized ILLUMINA V2.2, a sophisticated sky brightness simulation tool, integrating satellite imagery, ground-level lighting data, and atmospheric metrics from the AERONET network.

Key findings show that light pollution from Marrakesh and Ourika contributes significantly to sky glow, affecting brightness up to 30° in elevation and 340° in azimuth. Yet, despite these influences, the observatory retains remarkably dark skies, with brightness levels between 1 and 1.6 Natural Sky Units (NSU) in the B and V bands—nearly equivalent to untouched natural conditions.

Why It Matters This pioneering research not only advances scientific understanding but also provides essential data for shaping sustainable lighting policies. By introducing the NSU scale as a practical tool for assessing sky quality, the study empowers policymakers to better protect ecologically sensitive areas from excessive artificial light.

Toward a Dark Sky Reserve The findings bolster efforts to establish a Dark Sky Reserve in the Atlas Mountains surrounding Oukaimeden Observatory—a vision championed by the Atlas Dark Sky Foundation. Such a designation would safeguard Morocco’s astronomical legacy while fostering astrotourism, education, and sustainable development.

Prof. Benkhaldoun remarked:

“Protecting our night skies means protecting both science and our natural heritage. This study represents a decisive step toward making Morocco a regional leader in dark-sky conservation and astronomical excellence.”

Publication Details

Title: Multispectral Analysis of the Night Sky Brightness at Oukaimeden Observatory, Morocco
Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS)
DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf1513]