THE 1997 REFERENCE OF DIFFUSE NIGHT-SKY BRIGHTNESS

In the following we I?resent material in tabular and graphical form, w ith the aim to allow the non-specialist to obtain a realistic estimate of the diffuse night sky brightness over a wide range of wavelengths from the far UV longward of Ly alpha to the far-infrared. At the same time the data are to provide a reference for cases in which background brightness has to be discussed; including the planning for space obse rvations and the issue of protection of observatory sites. We try to g ive a critical presentation of the status at the beginning of 1997.