How to use the online alarm clock
While preparing to watch the meteor shower above the heath, set the alarm for 3:56 am before packing your flask, torch and extra layer. That gives you a clear prompt just ahead of 4:00 am, whether you plan to step outside then or use it as the point for checking the sky and letting your eyes adjust to the darkness.
Your meteor-shower reminder needs the browser to remain active, so it cannot wake you after the phone or computer has gone to sleep. Before relying on it, test the sound at the volume you intend to use and check how your device handles browser audio in silent mode. A visible alarm may still be easy to miss while you are watching the sky, particularly if the screen is face down or tucked into a pocket.
If reaching the heath requires a drive, allow for the whole night journey rather than judging it by the empty-looking roads at 3:56 am. Rural routes can be slower because of unlit bends, temporary closures, fog or animals crossing. Check the route before setting off, choose a safe recognised parking place, and leave enough time to walk from the car without rushing across uneven ground in the dark.
Common questions
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
Can I use this on a phone?
It works in a mobile browser, but phones lock the screen and suspend background tabs far more readily than a laptop does, which can stop the alarm sounding. For anything important, a desktop or a plugged-in laptop is the steadier option.
Does the alarm still work if I close the tab?
No. Everything runs inside this page, so closing the tab — or quitting the browser altogether — ends the countdown there and then. Leaving it open in the background is all it asks, and switching to another tab makes no difference.
What happens if my laptop goes to sleep before 3:56 am?
The tab sleeps along with it and the alarm will not sound on time, if at all. If you are relying on it, change the power settings so the machine stays awake, or keep a phone alarm running as well.
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