Aurora
Guide to viewing aurora in your location
This site uses the Kp Index to refer to the current amount of geomagnetic activity.
The higher the Kp number, the more aurora activity is likely to be visible from Earth. Aurora are most visible around the North and South poles, so a higher Kp number is required to view aurora as you get further from those areas. Use the charts below as a guide to find which Kp number you might need to view aurora from your location.
Tip: Just like a weather forecast, aurora activity can also be stronger than was forecast. You may want to keep an eye out for forecast aurora activity that's 1 or 2 Kp weaker than required for your location, just in case it ends up being stronger than expected. If you are trying to get a photo of aurora remember your camera will be capable of capturing much more than the naked eye, so you will be able to photograph aurora at lower Kp levels than indicated on the chart, especially if using a long exposure setting.
These charts are from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Check their website for more details on how to view aurora.
![Aurora Kp map](/img/aurora_help_1.png)
![Aurora Kp map](/img/aurora_help_2.png)
![Aurora Kp map](/img/aurora_help_3.png)
![Aurora Kp map](/img/aurora_help_4.png)
![Current expected aurora visibility](https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/images/animations/ovation/north/latest.jpg)
![Current expected aurora visibility](https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/images/animations/ovation/south/latest.jpg)
Click images to enlarge
![SWPC solar synoptic analysis](https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/images/synoptic-map.jpg)
![Satellite image of the sun](https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/images/animations/suvi/primary/131/latest.png)
![Satellite image of the sun](https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/images/animations/suvi/primary/094/latest.png)