The mesmerizing aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a breathtaking natural spectacle that can occasionally grace the night skies over Britain. Once witnessed, the experience is unforgettable. With AuroraWatch UK, you can keep a close eye on geomagnetic activity and receive timely alerts when there's a possibility of spotting the aurora from the UK.
Stay informed with alerts triggered by increases in geomagnetic activity. These alerts are generated when the AuroraWatch status level changes, signaling the potential for aurora viewing in the UK. You can also check the current alert status and review the recent history of the past 24 hours. Additionally, benefit from a 30-minute forecast model provided by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
For any issues, please reach out via email at [email protected].
Please note that AuroraWatch is not a forecasting app. Certain phone settings, like Battery Saver, may restrict push notifications, thereby narrowing or even closing the window for aurora alerts. If you're not receiving alerts, ensure that your phone's settings under Notifications/App settings have not turned off notifications for AuroraWatch UK.
The app does not send historical alerts. If your phone is off or unable to connect to the internet during a status increase, and the level decreases before the next data update, you won't receive an alert. There is also a necessary delay in sending alerts as the data needs to 'settle down,' as recommended by Lancaster University.
Lancaster University's alerts typically default to their Lancaster magnetometer, though they also use others, notably one in Shetland. The likelihood of witnessing an aurora is higher in Shetland, but since this data is not usually used, the alerts can be more conservative. This approach is suitable for those in England but may be less accurate for those further north.
The AuroraWatch UK (Android) app is developed and maintained by Smallbouldering Projects and is not an 'official' app. The alerts data is provided by Lancaster University, UK, using data from 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 About.
- Included Bristol and Portsmouth as new locations.
- Introduced a new optional Alert Notification "Triggered by value," allowing you to receive another notification if the status value (nT) increases even after a red alert.
