Very quiet solar wind — little aurora activity expected. Ideal time to stargaze instead.
4
Peak Kp forecast in next 48 h
Visibility down to 58°N/S · Active
48-Hour Kp Forecast (NOAA)
Observed
Predicted
— G1 threshold (Kp 5)
Visibility by Kp Level
Kp9Extreme G5≥ 38°N
Kp7Strong G3≥ 46°N
Kp5Minor G1≥ 54°N
Kp4Active≥ 58°N
Kp3Unsettled≥ 62°N
Kp2Quiet≥ 66°N
Best Viewing Tips
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Best time: 10 PM – 2 AM
Aurora peaks around magnetic midnight. The hours either side of midnight local time give the highest chance — especially 11 PM–1 AM.
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Escape light pollution
Drive at least 20–30 km from city centres. Rural areas, hilltops, lakeshores, and open fields all work well. Dark-sky parks are ideal.
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Face north (in northern hemisphere)
Look toward the northern horizon. Aurora moves — scan a wide arc from NW to NE. In the southern hemisphere face south.
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Let your eyes adapt
Give your eyes 15–20 minutes to dark-adapt. Avoid looking at phone screens. Faint aurora often looks green to a camera before the naked eye sees it — try a 10-second exposure.
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Camera settings
ISO 800–3200 · f/2.8 or wider · 5–20 sec shutter · manual focus to infinity. Modern smartphone Night Mode works surprisingly well too.
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Watch the weather too
Clear skies are essential. Even Kp 8 is invisible through clouds. Check cloud-cover forecasts (e.g. Windy or Clearoutside) alongside the Kp index.
Data: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) · swpc.noaa.gov · refreshed every 10 min