Privacy policy

Last updated 7 October 2026

This policy explains what HelioSpace collects, why, and the choices you have. HelioSpace is run by [to be filled in: who runs HelioSpace (Y27)] ("we"), [to be filled in: postal address (Y27)]. For anything about your privacy, write to [email protected].

Your choices

Analytics and remembered settings are optional. Nothing optional happens until you choose, and you can change your mind here at any time; withdrawing is as easy as agreeing. Withdrawing analytics stops Google Analytics on this site and deletes its cookies here. Withdrawing storage deletes the settings kept in this browser. We remember your answer for 12 months and then ask again; "Reset my choices" forgets it now, along with any stored settings, so you're asked again straight away.

What we collect

When you visit

Our web server records each request: your IP address, the date and time, the page or data requested, the page you came from, and your browser's identification (user agent). We use these logs to keep the site running and secure, for example to find faults and stop abuse. They're kept for [to be filled in: how long server logs are kept (Y20)] and then deleted. Legal basis: our legitimate interest in running a reliable, secure site.

The live data you see is fetched by our server from its providers (NOAA, NASA and others), so the providers don't see your visit. Apart from Google Analytics, if you allow it, our pages load nothing from other sites.

Google Analytics, only if you allow it

If you allow analytics, we use Google Analytics 4 to understand how HelioSpace is used: which pages and views are used, roughly where visitors are (country or city), and which devices and browsers they use. It sets cookies on this site (_ga and _ga_…, kept for up to two years unless you withdraw) and sends this information to Google, which acts as our service provider. Google receives your IP address to estimate your location; Google says Google Analytics 4 doesn't log or store IP addresses. We keep analytics data for [to be filled in: Google Analytics retention, 2 or 14 months (Y26)]. Advertising features and Google signals are switched off. Google may process the data in the United States, under the EU–US Data Privacy Framework and Google's data processing terms. Legal basis: your consent. See Google's privacy policy.

Settings in your browser

• helio.consent.v1: your choices on this page and when you made them, so we can respect them (and ask again after 12 months). This one is needed, so it's kept without asking, until you reset your choices or clear your browser's data.
• helio.alerts.v1, only if you allow storage: the alert sound setting and which alerts you've already heard or dismissed, so they don't repeat.

These stay in your browser and aren't sent to us. HelioSpace sets no cookies of its own.

If you email us

We use your email address and message to reply, and keep them only as long as the conversation needs.

Share buttons

The share buttons are plain links: nothing is sent to a social network until you click one. After that, that network's own privacy policy applies.

Coming later: Pattern Lab and accounts

Pattern Lab, planned for a later version, will store your answers and scores together with your IP address. Before it starts we'll update this policy and ask for your permission. If we add user accounts, you'll always be able to delete your information yourself while logged in.

Who else receives data

• Our hosting provider, which runs our server and stores its logs.
• Google, only if you allow analytics.

We don't sell your personal information or share it for advertising.

Your rights

Depending on where you live (for example under the EU or UK GDPR, Canada's PIPEDA or California's privacy law), you can ask for a copy of your personal data, ask us to correct or delete it, or object to or restrict how we use it, and you can withdraw consent at any time (above). Write to [email protected]. You can also complain to your data protection authority.

Children

HelioSpace is a general-audience educational site, not aimed at children under 13. If you're under 16, please ask a parent before allowing analytics.

Changes

If we change this policy we'll update the date at the top, and tell you on the site about important changes, such as Pattern Lab starting.