UVscope: an instrument for multi-wavelength study of the diffuse Night Sky Background light

UVscope is a rugged and portable photon detector working in single photon counting mode, developed at IASF-Pa to support the experimental activity in the high-energy cosmic rays field. The apparatus is designed to measure the diffuse Night Sky Background light in the UltraViolet wavelength range where the atmosphere fluorescence process mainly takes place. The UVscope instrument is based on a multi-anode photomultiplier and is equipped with a motorized filter wheel where a set of filters can be accommodated, so allowing to perform consecutive measurements at the different filter wavelengths. UVscope has operated at different locations as in Italy (Contrada Pomieri, Sicily) and in Argentina (Pierre Auger Observatory, Pampa Amarilla).