Aurora Watch (UK)

The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a breathtaking natural phenomenon that can occasionally grace the night skies over Britain. Once witnessed, it leaves an indelible impression. Aurora Watch UK provides a valuable tool for enthusiasts to monitor geomagnetic activity and receive timely alerts when the aurora might be visible from the UK. By staying informed about increases in geomagnetic activity, you can prepare for potential sightings when the AuroraWatch status level changes, indicating the likelihood of an aurora display.

You can easily check the current alert status and review the recent history of the last 24 hours. Additionally, Aurora Watch UK offers a 30-minute forecast model from the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), giving you a glimpse into potential aurora activity in the near future. Should you encounter any issues with the service, please don't hesitate to email [email protected].

It's important to note that Aurora Watch UK is not a forecasting app but rather an alert system based on real-time data. Certain phone settings, such as Battery Saver, may limit your ability to receive push notifications, potentially narrowing or even closing the aurora alert window. If you're not receiving alerts, ensure that notifications for Aurora Watch UK are enabled in your phone's Settings/Notifications/App settings. Additionally, the app does not alert historically, so if your phone is off or unable to connect to the internet during a status change, you might miss an alert.

There is a necessary delay in sending alerts, as recommended by Lancaster University, to allow the data to 'settle down.' Lancaster University's alerts primarily use data from their Lancaster magnetometer, though they also utilize other magnetometers, including one in Shetland. While sightings are more likely in Shetland, the alerts tend to be more 'pessimistic' to accommodate those living further south in England.

The Aurora Watch UK (Android) app is developed and maintained by Smallbouldering Projects and is not an 'official' app. The alert 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 the About section.
• Included Bristol and Portsmouth as new locations.
• Introduced a new optional Alert Notification feature, "Triggered by value," allowing you to receive another notification if the status value (nT) rises even higher after a red alert.