Assessment of the Astroclimatic Conditions of the Observation Complex at the Institute of Astronomy of Kharkiv National University

Abstract—

The article is devoted to the comparison of modern astroclimatic conditions (light pollution and the number of cloudless nights) of 14 Ukrainian astronomical observatories. The aim of the work is to assess the prospects for further development of the observational complex of the Chuhuiv Observational Station (COS) at the Institute of Astronomy of Kharkiv National University (IA KNU). The level of light pollution at the selected observation stations is studied using the Global Light Pollution Map databank. The Weather Archive database is used to analyze the statistics of cloudless skies at these locations. An independent measurement of the integral brightness of the sky background is carried out using a portable integrated photometer. It is found that, in terms of light pollution, the COS of the Institute of Astronomy has the most favorable conditions for astronomical observations among other observatories in Ukraine. The results of measurements of the integrated brightness of the sky background at the COS of the Institute of Astronomy using a portable integrated photometer showed a rather dark sky background for a plain observatory; the levels of indicators are similar to the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. A selective analysis of the weather archive database for the period 2017–2019 for the southern, western, eastern, and central regions of Ukraine showed that, on average, the statistical indicators of cloudless skies in these locations differ little. Taking into account the results of astroclimatic studies and the absence of sources of significant light pollution at distances of 15…20 km from the COS (and the low probability of their appearance in the near future), it can be concluded that it is advisable to modernize the observatory complex of the IA KNU, in particular, to build a modern telescope of 1…2-m class on its territory.