The Observatory now has a live lightning detection station as part of the Blitzortung network
The Blitzortung network uses a large number of stations that detect lightning strikes via radio signals. Using precisely measured time of arrival of those signals the location of the strike can be calculated and plotted on a map.
The data from our detector can be viewed at http://normanlockyer.com/techgroup/blitzortung.html and you can see the map plot from the network at https://map.blitzortung.org/#4/48.03/12.56.
You can find out more about the project at https://www.blitzortung.org/en/cover_your_area.php