Lightningmaps.org. Check it out.

[randomness]

Lightningmaps.org is a visualization of lightning data collected by a lightning detection network set up by a volunteer community of detector station operators.

They include instructions on how to set up your own station. "If you are not from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland you can even get a complete controller kit, a complete amplifier kit, ferrite rod antennas, and a gps modul for cost price, if desired."

Their real time map looks particularly cool when you turn "Stations: on".

Comments

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

That map is SO COOL.

[achinhibitor.livejournal.com]

That's a neat concept, and it wouldn't be practical without the Internet. But I do wonder why the kits aren't available in the germanic countries?

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

It is a neat concept! Apparently it's been popular in the ham radio community as well as the weather tracking community.

blitzortung.org started in Germany and I think they're trying to jump-start the creation of more stations outside their original area. It looks like they already have many stations in the Germanic countries so I suspect that's why they're directing the kits elsewhere.

(edited for clarity)

[achinhibitor.livejournal.com]

That makes sense -- diffusion of the innovation is channelled within language communities.