This App Tracks The Northern Lights In Real Time

Catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is notoriously down to luck. Many guides have been written on how to stack the odds of seeing this elusive sight in your favour (think location, light pollution, timing), but it was all still largely guesswork – until now.

Founders Steven and Tony Collins of Live Aurora Network were all too familiar with the capricious nature of the Northern Lights, having spent countless evenings waiting in remote Icelandic fields to no avail. But their new-to-market development sets out to make this a thing of the past.

The Northern Lights are also known by their scientific name, ‘Aurora Borealis’

Harnessing the latest technology, and developed with input from NASA, their Live Aurora Network app offers a new approach to tracking down this natural light show: real-time data. Utilising an algorithm that promises a first-of-its-kind 100 percent success rate – in place of using cryptic National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ‘space weather’ forecasting that requires experience to understand – this app alerts users when there is actual visual detection of the Northern Lights, then clearly communicates the strength of the aurora and its colours. This means users can make an informed decision as to whether it’s worth making the trip up north – or at least that’s the idea.

The Northern Lights are typically pink, green, yellow, blue and violet

Although the aurora can be seen by eye from a distance of 400km (250mi), most apps still can’t guarantee that users will catch a glimpse if they travel up north following an alert. But what makes Live Aurora Network different to existing aurora prediction apps is its precision: the app has the benefit of being able to monitor the phenomenon’s movements, allowing you to track them while en route. What’s more, with its inbuilt Sony A7sii HD live camera that streams 30 frames per second straight to the interface, the app also eliminates the need for time-lapse. Watch this space – literally.

The Northern Lights are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.