Common questions.

Is Aurora Outpost free?

Yes — free forever. No paid tiers, no premium features locked behind a wall. Donations and affiliate links cover the running costs. More on how that works.

Is it in the App Store or Google Play?

No, and that’s by design. Aurora Outpost is a Progressive Web App installed directly from this site. That means instant updates (no review queues), no 30% platform tax (which is part of why it stays free), and identical functionality across iOS, Android, and desktop. See install steps.

How do I install it?

Open auroraoutpost.com/app in your browser. On iOS use Safari and tap Share → Add to Home Screen. On Android use Chrome and tap the ⋮ menu → Install app. On desktop look for the install icon in the address bar. Step-by-step install guide.

Do I need an account?

Yes — a free account is required. Just an email and a username, takes about 30 seconds. Most of the value (push alerts, saved locations, sighting reports, friends) is per-user, so the whole app sits behind a quick sign-up. Guest mode may come later.

Why don’t browser tabs get push alerts?

On iOS, Apple blocks browser tabs from receiving push notifications entirely — an Apple platform rule, not ours. The only way to get alerts on iOS is to install the app to your home screen and launch it from there. On Android and desktop, browser-tab pushes technically work but the installed app is more reliable and has way better UX.

What kinds of alerts can I get?

Configurable. Wake me at Kp 6+, ping me when Bz drops below -10 nT, alert me when a friend within 200 mi reports a sighting — pick the thresholds that match your latitude and how serious you are about getting out. New alert types are added regularly.

Is my location private?

Yes — private by default. Locations you save are visible only to you unless you specifically share a collection with friends or list a spot publicly. Sighting reports show approximate location only (we never expose street-level coordinates of your home spot).

What data do you collect?

The minimum needed for the app to work: your email + username, sighting reports you choose to post, locations you save, alert preferences. We don’t sell data. We don’t run third-party ad trackers. Cloudflare Web Analytics gives us anonymous traffic numbers (no cookies, no fingerprinting).

What is Substorm Scout?

A custom timing model trained on over 7,000 substorm events going back more than a decade. It predicts when a substorm is most likely to fire — a “go now” signal during active conditions, far more useful than just watching Kp and waiting.

What are badges and the Trophy Case?

Every sighting you log feeds an evolving achievement system: 30+ chase-earned badges across seven categories (volume, site variety, geographic spread, storm hunter, late night, special conditions, seasonal). Badges fire automatically the moment you cross a threshold — no claim button. They live in your Trophy Case page under My Outpost with collapsible categories and live progress bars. Pick any earned badge to display next to your username throughout the app, and tap any chip to see what the badge represents and how to earn it. The whole thing rewards real chase history (sightings have to be tied to your actual GPS location, so badges aren’t game-able by tapping a fake spot on the map). Admins can revoke badges earned through bad reports, keeping the case honest.

Where does the space-weather data come from?

Live readings from NOAA SWPC (DSCOVR, GOES, etc.), CME tracking from the CCMC Scoreboard, SDO solar imagery via NASA / Helioviewer, cloud forecasts from NOAA HRRR + OpenMeteo, and ground-magnetometer indices from public datasets. Plus chasers’ own sighting reports filed in real time.

Why is Aurora Outpost focused on mid-latitudes?

Because that’s where the founder lives and chases — and where most chasers live too. The app works fine at high latitudes, but the substorm timing, alert thresholds, and curated locations are tuned for chasers in places where aurora is the exception, not the rule.

How can I support the project?

Use the app, post sightings, share with other chasers. If you want to give back: drop a few bucks at the Outpost or shop the Field Kit (affiliate links to gear actually used in the field). Every bit helps cover hosting, satellite data feeds, and dev time.

How do I report a bug or request a feature?

Tap CONTACT SUPPORT in My Outpost inside the app. Or reply to any email from scott@auroraoutpost.com — goes straight to my inbox.