York scientists offer aurora email alert

Storm warnings from space will automatically be sent to anyone wanting to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, thanks to an initiative from physicists at the University of York. The scientists will continuously monitor data from satellites and ground-based instruments to identify magnetic storms that might be powerful enough to result in a spectacular auroral display. They will send email and relayed text messages to mobile phones to anyone who takes a free subscription to the service via their web-page - www.aurorawatch.york.ac.uk. There are no plans to link the service to the proposed asteroid collision early-warning network.