An observatory located on the northern Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard has started offering a free “app” (application) that sends out predictions on appearances of nordlys (the Northern Lights).
The app, sponsored by the Norwegian research council (Norges Forskningsråd), allows everyone with a so-called “smart telephone” to gain access to the Northern Lights forecasts issued by the Kjell Henriksen Observatory on Svalbard, reports the Tromsø-based newspaper that’s also called Nordlys. The app for Android, iPhone and Windows can be installed free of charge.
It was launched earlier this month on the 50th anniversary of the Andøya rocket-launching pad on the northern Norwegian island of Andøya. It’s reported to be part of an ongoing research project to improve forecasts of the phenomenon that can light up dark winter skies with amazing colors, mostly resembling lime green.
Last winter was a spectacular year for appearances of the Northern Lights (also known as aurora borealis) and the coming winter is also expected to put on quite a show because of a spate of solar storms.
Views and News staff
