+- Blitzortung.org Forum (https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb)
+-- Forum: Public Forums (https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/forumdisplay.php?fid=29)
+--- Forum: Website, Maps and Applications (https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/forumdisplay.php?fid=24)
+--- Thread: Real-time Lightning Data Access for a Non-Commercial University Art Project (/showthread.php?tid=4331)
Real-time Lightning Data Access for a Non-Commercial University Art Project - Maomaomo - 2026-11-09
Hello,
I am a media design student at University in Taiwan.
I have created a non-commercial interactive artwork using a world map, an Arduino Uno, and 12 LEDs.
My goal is to make the LEDs flash according to real lightning activity in 12 different regions of the world.
I found a discussion from 2014 explaining that raw lightning data was only available to network participants.
I would like to ask whether there is now an approved way to access real-time lightning data for a non-commercial university art project in 2026.
If access is possible:
1. Is it free for educational use?
2. Is there an official API or another approved way to obtain lightning coordinates?
3. How can I apply for permission?
Thank you very much for your time and help!
RE: Real-time Lightning Data Access for a Non-Commercial University Art Project - cutty - 2026-11-09
(29 minutes ago)Maomaomo Wrote: Hello,
I am a media design student at University in Taiwan.
I have created a non-commercial interactive artwork using a world map, an Arduino Uno, and 12 LEDs.
My goal is to make the LEDs flash according to real lightning activity in 12 different regions of the world.
I found a discussion from 2014 explaining that raw lightning data was only available to network participants.
I would like to ask whether there is now an approved way to access real-time lightning data for a non-commercial university art project in 2026.
If access is possible:
1. Is it free for educational use?
2. Is there an official API or another approved way to obtain lightning coordinates?
3. How can I apply for permission?
Thank you very much for your time and help!
Blitzortung is not a general-purpose public lightning-data service or API provider.
The network exists primarily for participating station operators and the cooperative lightning-location project itself. Its data is not offered as a general source for private applications, websites, hobby projects, research tools, AI-assisted projects, or other third-party services.
Publicly available Blitzortung maps and related services may be used where appropriate. Direct access to the underlying lightning data is not provided for general third-party use.
If your project requires a general source of lightning data for use in your own application or service, you should look to a provider whose purpose is to supply that type of data.