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C-REX-2A rocket campaign (2021)
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Bird view of observatory (2025)
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Dome covers day (2011)
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Dome covers day (2010)
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Construction period (2007)
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Civil twilight (2007)
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Local girls visit (2013)
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Total Eclipse (2015)

4 stars to Aurora Forecast 3D
We are honored to report that the latest version (9.2.0) of the auroral forecast app has been rated 4 stars by 294 verified installed users. "Aurora Forecast 3D is an outstanding product and was given the 'Very Good' award by its users." Michael Ganss, UpdateStar.com.

See award here.

8 April, 2026

First lunar flyby in 50 years!
Our Profs. II Kjellmar Oksavik and Pål Brekke strike again on TV2! Here they comment on the Artemis II crewed mission by NASA to flyby the Moon, marking a 50-year historic return to deep space exploration. Also note the cool UNIS logo. Well, done boys!

Read Norwegian TV2 news article here.

2 April, 2026

Doctora Lotte!
We are happy to congratulate Charlotte Maartje van Hazendonk with her successful Martian radiation trial lecture and the PhD defense:"The effect of ultra-low frequency waves on magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling at high-latitude". The ULF-waves are found to transfer energy into the upper atmosphere, and they play an important role in the coupling between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. Salute Lotte!

Read thesis here.

10 February, 2026

The return of the Red-Sky Enigma
We suspect unusually cold conditions in the Stratosphere, leading to the formation of ice clouds. Even under nautical twilight - when the Sun is 10 degrees below the horizon - these clouds duct sunlight towards us. This phenomenon appears in our camera systems as reddish illumination on the surrounding mountain slopes. The image referenced here is taken from KHO toward Hiorthamn. The effect is explained in our Red-Sky Enigma paper published back in 2005.

Read paper here.

20 January, 2026

Isar Aeorospace second test!
A new milestone is approaching with Andøya Space preparing for a second attempt by Isar Aerospace to launch the Spectrum rocket, designed to carry satellites into orbit. Expectations are high that this launch will succeed after the previous setback. Our Professor II, Kjellmar Oksavik, was interviewed by TV2 and expressed great enthusiasm - signaling the start of an exciting new chapter in Norway's space endeavors.

Read Norwegian TV2 news article here.

13 January, 2026

Good news for us at high latitudes!
The local newspaper Svalbardposten has interviewed our very own Professor Noora Partamies and Post Doc. Katie Herlingshaw about their research projects. Tips on how to hunt for the aurora and which forecasts to use are also recommended.

Read Norwegian news article here.

10 January, 2026

Major update!
The Aurora Forecast apps are now upgraded. They are more standalone with minimum server dependency. A new way to seek satellites and forecasts are implemented to meet future standards of communication.

The drift in position of the geomagnetic poles are also improved and up to date, an effect that is detected by our all-sky cameras. The net result is a major upgrade in performance and accuracy of the app.

Read release notes here.

1 January, 2026