The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a breathtaking natural spectacle that can occasionally grace the night skies over Britain. Those who witness this mesmerizing display are left with unforgettable memories. AuroraWatch UK offers a valuable service by monitoring geomagnetic activity, providing timely alerts when there's a possibility of aurora sightings from the UK.
Stay informed with alerts triggered by changes in the AuroraWatch status level, which signal the potential for viewing the aurora in the UK. You can also check the current alert status, review the recent history of the last 24 hours, and access a 30-minute forecast model from the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
For any issues, please reach out via email to [email protected].
Please note that AuroraWatch UK is not a forecasting app. Certain phone settings, such as Battery Saver, can restrict push notifications, potentially narrowing or even closing the window for aurora alerts. If you're not receiving alerts, ensure that notifications for AuroraWatch UK are enabled in your phone's Settings/Notifications/App settings.
The app does not send historical alerts. If your phone is off or unable to connect to the internet when the status increases but returns to a lower level before the next data update, you will not receive an alert. There is also a necessary delay before alerts are sent, as recommended by Lancaster University, to allow the data to stabilize.
Lancaster University, which provides the alert data, primarily uses their Lancaster magnetometer for alerts, though they also have others, including one in Shetland. While sightings are more likely in Shetland, the alerts are generally more conservative, which is suitable for those in England but less so for those further north.
The AuroraWatch UK app for Android is developed and maintained by Smallbouldering Projects and is not an official app. The alerts are based on 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" feature, allowing you to receive another notification if the status value (nT) increases even after a red alert.
