Auroral & Magnetic Observatory

Unless stated otherwise, times (UT = GMT) and positions refer to the sky as seen from the location of Orkney, UK.

How best to source this site:

Please go to the NOTICE BOARD. From there you will be directed to the appropriate page/s featruing latest entries to the site.

We endeavour to cover astronomical topics receiving attention in the general media and elsewhere. We publish only our own observations wherever possible.

The Orcadian Sky Notes is generally, but not exclusively, featured on the Active Sky Page.

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The observatory has been based on Rousay, Orkney, for the past thirty years.

The two sites are separated by a distance of 8 km on roughly a SE-NW line and at altitudes of 47 metres and 122 metres above sea level.

The routine work of the observatory is to monitor the visual condition (appearance) of the sky with particular reference to the aurora and (in summer) the noctilucent clouds. We also investigate features such as aircraft activity—the appearance of condensation trails—together with notable meteorological conditions.

There is an archive of auroral images available through The Orcadian Sky Notes  home page: go to the Links and Announcements pages of the Northern Skies site for further information.