Aurora Watch (UK)

The mesmerizing aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a breathtaking natural spectacle that can occasionally grace the night skies of Britain. Once witnessed, it's an unforgettable experience. With AuroraWatch UK, you can stay informed about geomagnetic activity, receiving alerts when there's a possibility of seeing the aurora from the UK. This tool is essential for enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of this stunning phenomenon.

AuroraWatch UK provides alerts when there are increases in geomagnetic activity, which are triggered by changes in the AuroraWatch status level. These alerts help indicate the likelihood of viewing an 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). If you encounter any issues, please email [email protected].

Please note that Aurora Watch is not a forecasting app. Certain phone settings, such as Battery Saver, might limit the phone's ability to receive push notifications, potentially narrowing or even closing the window for aurora alerts. If you're not receiving alerts, check your phone's settings under Notifications/App settings to ensure that notifications for Aurora Watch UK are enabled. Additionally, the app does not send historical alerts; if your phone is off or unable to connect to the internet during a status increase that later subsides before the next data update, you will miss the alert.

There is a necessary delay before alerts are sent to allow the data to 'settle down,' as recommended by Lancaster University. The alerts are primarily based on data from Lancaster University's Lancaster magnetometer, although they also have others, including one in Shetland. Since the Shetland data is not typically used, the alerts may be more 'pessimistic,' which is more suitable for those in England but less so for those further north.

The Aurora Watch 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 information 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.
• Added Bristol and Portsmouth to locations.
• Added new optional Alert Notification "Triggered by value" so that, for example, when there has been a red alert and the status value (nT) goes even higher, you can receive another notification.