Notifications & Alert Thresholds
Aurora doesn't wait for you to check the app. Lumina's notification system watches the conditions for you and sends an alert when the odds cross a threshold you've set — so you can get outside in time.
How it works
Lumina uses Web Push notifications through your browser. No app install required — just allow notifications when prompted, and you'll get alerts even when Lumina isn't open in a tab. This works on desktop and Android. iPhone users, you'll need to have added Lumina to your home screen for notifications to work.
Behind the scenes, Lumina's server watches the aurora probability for your general location every few minutes. When the probability crosses your configured threshold, the server pushes a notification to your browser with the current probability and a quick summary.
Threshold levels
You can set your notification threshold to one of three levels:
| Level | Probability | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | ≥ 50% | You want to know about any decent chance. Good for dark-sky locations or dedicated watchers. More alerts, more false alarms. |
| Strong | ≥ 70% | You want alerts only when conditions are genuinely promising. The sweet spot for most people. |
| Very Strong | ≥ 85% | You only want to be woken up for near-certain events. Fewer alerts, but you might miss marginal displays. |
The thresholds map to Lumina's aurora probability bands: "Some chance" (≥ 50%), "Good chance" (≥ 70%), and "High chance" (≥ 85%). You're setting how confident Lumina needs to be before it taps you on the shoulder.
What triggers an alert
A notification fires when the Plan mode probability (the smoother, planning-horizon number) crosses your threshold and stays above it. Lumina won't spam you — once an alert fires for a given threshold crossing, there's a cooldown period before the next one.
The notification message includes:
- The current aurora probability (as a percentage)
- The aurora label (Moderate, High, Very High)
- Whether a substorm is active
- A brief summary of the main driver (e.g. "Strong southward Bz", "CME impact detected")
Managing your notification settings
You can adjust your threshold or turn notifications off entirely from the Settings dialog (gear icon in the header). You'll also find settings for which locations trigger alerts — you might only want notifications for your best dark-sky spot, not your suburban backyard.
If you change browsers or devices, you'll need to re-enable notifications — Web Push subscriptions are per-browser, not per-account.
Limitations to be aware of
- Notification latency — Lumina checks conditions every few minutes, so there's a small delay between a probability change and the notification. For the fastest response, keep the app open.
- Do Not Disturb — if your device is in Do Not Disturb mode, notifications will be silenced. Consider allowing Lumina through if you're on an aurora watch.
- Probability isn't visibility — a high-probability alert doesn't guarantee you'll see aurora. Cloud, moon, and your horizon still matter. Always check the full recommendation after getting an alert.