Stay updated on Aurora Borealis sightings in the UK with AuroraWatch UK!

Witnessing the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) over Britain is a breathtaking experience. AuroraWatch UK helps you track geomagnetic activity and receive alerts about potential aurora sightings.

Key Features:

• Geomagnetic Activity Alerts: Receive instant notifications when the AuroraWatch status level changes, indicating a higher likelihood of aurora visibility in the UK.
• Current Alert Status: Check the current alert level (see Notes).
• 24-Hour History: Review geomagnetic activity over the past 24 hours.
• 30-Minute Forecast: Access a 30-minute forecast model from the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

Important Notes:

• Not a Forecasting App: AuroraWatch UK is not a prediction tool; it provides alerts based on observed geomagnetic activity.
• Phone Settings: Ensure your phone's battery saver mode or similar settings are not blocking push notifications. Check your phone's notification settings to ensure AuroraWatch UK alerts are enabled.
• Alert Delays: Alerts are subject to a delay to allow data stabilization, as recommended by Lancaster University. Alerts may be missed if your phone is off or offline during a brief period of high activity.
• Location Considerations: Alerts primarily use data from a Lancaster magnetometer. While Shetland data is also available, it's not always used, leading to potentially more conservative alerts for those in England. Northern observers might experience higher chances of sightings than the alerts suggest.
• Third-Party App: This Android app is developed and maintained by Smallbouldering Projects and is not an official Lancaster University application. Data is provided by Lancaster University using SAMNET and/or AuroraWatchNet magnetometer networks. Learn more: http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/introduction

Version 1.97 (Updated Oct 20, 2024):

• Added abbreviations to the "About" section.
• Added Bristol and Portsmouth to location options.
• Introduced a new optional alert notification triggered by specific value increases. This allows for additional alerts even after an initial alert (e.g., a second alert if the nT value increases further after a red alert).