Real-time Lightning Data Access for a Non-Commercial University Art Project

[Maomaomo]

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!

[cutty]

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.