8 hours ago
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!
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!