Aurora Watch (UK)

The aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, is a breathtaking natural spectacle that occasionally graces the night skies over Britain. Once witnessed, it leaves an indelible mark on the memory. AuroraWatch UK serves as a vital tool for enthusiasts, enabling them to keep tabs on geomagnetic activity and receive alerts when there is a possibility of seeing the aurora from the UK.

Stay informed with timely alerts about increases in geomagnetic activity. These alerts are triggered when the AuroraWatch status level changes, signaling the relative likelihood of an aurora sighting in the UK.

Check the current alert status and review the recent history of the last 24 hours. Additionally, benefit from the 30-minute forecast model provided by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

For any issues, please reach out via email to [email protected].

Important Notes:

• Aurora Watch is not a forecasting app; it monitors current geomagnetic activity.
• Phone settings like Battery Saver can limit push notifications, potentially narrowing or closing the aurora alert window. Ensure your phone's settings allow notifications from Aurora Watch UK.
• The app does not send historical alerts. If your phone is off or unable to connect to the internet when the status rises but falls before the next data update, you will not receive an alert.
• There is a necessary delay before alerts are sent to allow the data to stabilize, as recommended by Lancaster University.
• Alerts are primarily based on data from Lancaster University's Lancaster magnetometer, though other locations like Shetland are also monitored. Alerts may be more conservative due to this, which is more suitable for those in England than further north.
• The Aurora Watch UK (Android) app is developed and maintained by Smallbouldering Projects and is not an 'Official' app.
• Alerts data is sourced from Lancaster University, utilizing the SAMNET and/or AuroraWatchNet magnetometer networks. Learn more at http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/introduction.

What's New in Version 1.97

Last updated on Oct 20, 2024

• Added abbreviations to the About section.
• Included Bristol and Portsmouth as new locations.
• Introduced a new optional Alert Notification feature "Triggered by value," allowing users to receive another notification when the status value (nT) increases even further during a red alert.