About
Aurorasaurus, developed by the New Mexico Consortium and active since 2012, is a citizen science platform dedicated to tracking auroras (Northern and Southern Lights) from the ground up. It empowers everyday observers to submit real-time sightings of the aurora borealis and aurora australis, which are then plotted on an interactive global map alongside space weather data. The platform aggregates user reports, geolocated tweets, and photographs to build an accurate auroral nowcast — showing exactly where the aurora is visible right now. A dedicated Storm Tracker monitors geomagnetic storm activity driven by solar wind, helping users anticipate when and where auroras may appear. Users can sign up for space weather alerts so they never miss a display. A unique crowdsourcing feature lets volunteers evaluate aurora-related tweets, flagging genuine real-time sightings to improve the platform's nowcast accuracy. A leaderboard gamifies participation, rewarding the most active contributors. Aurorasaurus is ideal for aurora enthusiasts, amateur astronomers, students, educators, and researchers interested in space weather and citizen science. Its combination of real-time mapping, community data, and scientific forecasting makes it one of the most comprehensive free aurora-tracking resources available online.
Key Features
- Real-Time Aurora Map: View the live auroral oval overlaid with current weather data and community-submitted sightings on an interactive global map.
- Geomagnetic Storm Tracker: Monitor ongoing and predicted geomagnetic storms driven by solar wind activity to anticipate when auroras may be visible.
- Citizen Science Reporting: Submit your own aurora sightings with location data to contribute to the global nowcast and help other aurora hunters.
- Twitter / Social Media Integration: Volunteers evaluate geolocated aurora tweets, filtering genuine real-time sightings to enhance nowcast accuracy.
- Space Weather Alerts: Sign up to receive notifications when auroral activity is forecast or reported near your location.
Use Cases
- Aurora enthusiasts tracking real-time Northern Lights visibility before heading outdoors for viewing.
- Amateur astronomers and astrophotographers planning shoots around geomagnetic storm events.
- Students and educators engaging with space weather and citizen science concepts through hands-on data contribution.
- Researchers studying auroral distribution and citizen science accuracy using crowdsourced observational data.
- Travelers in high-latitude destinations wanting timely alerts and maps to catch aurora displays during their trip.
Pros
- Completely Free: Aurorasaurus is a free, community-driven platform with no paywalls, making it accessible to everyone from casual hobbyists to researchers.
- Real-Time Community Data: Crowdsourced sightings and tweet analysis provide up-to-the-minute aurora visibility data that satellite-only forecasts can't match.
- Gamified Participation: A leaderboard rewards active contributors, encouraging ongoing community engagement and data quality.
Cons
- Niche Focus: The platform is exclusively dedicated to aurora tracking, limiting its utility outside of space weather and aurora-related interests.
- Accuracy Depends on Community Activity: Nowcast predictions are most reliable when many users are actively reporting, which can vary significantly by time and region.
- Limited Mobile Experience: There is no dedicated mobile app, so the experience on smartphones relies on the mobile browser version of the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aurorasaurus?
Aurorasaurus is a citizen science platform where users report aurora sightings, vote on aurora-related tweets, and view real-time maps and forecasts of the Northern and Southern Lights.
Is Aurorasaurus free to use?
Yes, Aurorasaurus is completely free. You can create an account at no cost to submit sightings, receive alerts, and participate in the community.
How does the aurora nowcast work?
The nowcast combines user-submitted sightings, verified geolocated tweets, and space weather data to generate a real-time prediction of where the aurora is currently visible.
How can I help improve the predictions?
You can help by submitting your own sightings when you see the aurora, and by voting on tweets to flag genuine real-time aurora reports for the nowcast algorithm.
Can I get alerts when the aurora is visible near me?
Yes, after creating a free account you can set up space weather alerts based on your location so you're notified when auroral activity is likely in your area.
