Aurora Watch (UK)

The mesmerizing spectacle of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, can occasionally grace the night skies over Britain, creating unforgettable moments for those lucky enough to witness it. AuroraWatch UK provides a valuable service by monitoring geomagnetic activity and alerting users when there is a potential for viewing the aurora from the UK. By subscribing to AuroraWatch UK, you'll receive timely alerts about increases in geomagnetic activity, which signal a higher likelihood of witnessing this natural wonder.

You can easily check the current alert status and review the activity history of the past 24 hours. Additionally, a 30-minute forecast model from the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is available to give you a short-term outlook on geomagnetic conditions. Should you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected].

It's important to understand that AuroraWatch UK is not a forecasting app. Phone settings such as Battery Saver can limit push notifications, potentially narrowing or even closing the aurora alert window. Ensure your phone's settings allow notifications from AuroraWatch UK to stay updated. Keep in mind that the app does not send alerts retroactively, so if your phone is off or unable to connect to the internet during a status change, you won't receive an alert once the status reverts.

There is also a necessary delay in sending alerts to allow the data to stabilize, as recommended by Lancaster University. The alerts are primarily based on data from Lancaster University's magnetometer, though additional data from Shetland is available. This can make the alerts slightly more conservative, particularly for those in England, but less so for those in more northern locations.

The AuroraWatch UK app for Android, developed and maintained by Smallbouldering Projects, is not an 'official' app. The alert data is provided by Lancaster University, utilizing information from the SAMNET and/or AuroraWatchNet magnetometer networks. For more detailed information, visit http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/introduction.

What's New in 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," which notifies you when, for example, a red alert status increases further in value (nT).