The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a breathtaking natural spectacle that can occasionally grace the night skies over Britain. Witnessing this phenomenon is an unforgettable experience. Aurora Watch UK is your go-to resource for monitoring geomagnetic activity, providing alerts when there's a potential for viewing the aurora from the UK.
Stay ahead of the game with real-time alerts triggered by changes in the AuroraWatch status level. These alerts signify the relative likelihood of witnessing an aurora in the UK. You can also check the current alert status and review the activity from the past 24 hours. Additionally, leverage the 30-minute forecast model from the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) to plan your aurora viewing.
Encounter any issues? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected].
Please keep in mind:
- Aurora Watch is NOT a forecasting app.
- Phone settings like Battery Saver can limit push notifications, potentially narrowing or even closing the aurora alert window. Ensure your phone's settings are configured to allow notifications from Aurora Watch UK.
- The app does not send alerts retroactively. If your phone is off or unable to connect to the internet during a status increase that later decreases before the next data update, you won't receive an alert.
- There is a necessary delay before alerts are dispatched as the data needs time to stabilize, as recommended by Lancaster University.
- Lancaster University's alerts primarily use data from their Lancaster magnetometer, though other magnetometers, including one in Shetland, are part of their network. Alerts may be more conservative, particularly for those in England, as Shetland data is not typically used.
The Aurora Watch UK (Android) app is developed and maintained by Smallbouldering Projects and is not an 'Official' app. Alerts are powered by data from Lancaster University, utilizing the SAMNET and/or AuroraWatchNet magnetometer networks. For more information, visit http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/introduction.
What's New in the Latest Version 1.97
Last updated on Oct 20, 2024
- Added some abbreviations to the About section.
- Included Bristol and Portsmouth as new locations.
- Introduced a new optional Alert Notification feature, "Triggered by value," allowing for additional notifications when the status value (nT) exceeds a previous red alert level.
