The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a breathtaking natural spectacle that can occasionally grace the night skies over Britain. Once witnessed, it leaves an indelible mark on the memory. AuroraWatch UK serves as an essential tool for enthusiasts, allowing them to keep tabs on geomagnetic activity and receive alerts when the aurora might be visible from the UK.
Stay informed with AuroraWatch UK's alerts, which are triggered by changes in the AuroraWatch status level. These updates signify the potential for aurora sightings across the UK. You can also check the current alert status—refer to the Notes section for more details. The app offers a glimpse into the recent history of the last 24 hours, and a 30-minute forecast model from the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) keeps you ahead of the curve. For any issues, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected].
It's important to understand that AuroraWatch is not a forecasting app but a monitoring tool. Be aware that certain phone settings, such as Battery Saver, may restrict push notifications, potentially narrowing or even closing the aurora alert window. If you're not receiving alerts, check your phone's settings under Notifications/App settings to ensure that notifications for AuroraWatch UK are enabled.
The app does not send historical alerts. If your phone is off or disconnected from the internet when the status changes but returns to a lower level before the next data update, you won't receive an alert. There's also a necessary delay before alerts are sent, as recommended by Lancaster University, to allow the data to stabilize.
Lancaster University's alerts primarily rely on data from their Lancaster magnetometer, though they also use others, notably one in Shetland. While sightings are more likely in Shetland, the alerts tend to be more conservative for those in England, which is appropriate for the majority of users but less so for those further north.
The AuroraWatch UK (Android) app, developed and maintained by Smallbouldering Projects, is not an official app. It leverages data from Lancaster University, utilizing the SAMNET and/or AuroraWatchNet magnetometer networks. For a deeper dive into how this works, visit http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/introduction.
What's New in the Latest Version 1.97
Last updated on Oct 20, 2024
Additions in version 1.97 include abbreviations in the About section, the inclusion of Bristol and Portsmouth as new locations, and a new optional Alert Notification feature called "Triggered by value." This feature allows for additional notifications when, for example, a red alert status value (nT) increases further.
Tags : Weather
