Current Conditions

Live data updated every 15 minutes

Planetary Kp Index Loading...
— /9
Quiet Storm

The Kp index measures geomagnetic activity on a scale of 0-9.

Next 12 Hours
Wind Speed km/s
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Typical: 300–800
IMF Bz nT
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Negative = Good
Density p/cm³
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Higher = Stronger
IMF Bt nT
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Total field strength

3-Day Forecast

Kp index predictions from NOAA

Loading forecast data...

Kp 0-3 (Quiet)
Kp 4-5 (Active)
Kp 6+ (Storm)

Recent Activity

Kp index over the past 24 hours

Kp 0-3 (Quiet)
Kp 4-5 (Active)
Kp 6+ (Storm)

Visibility by Latitude

What Kp level do you need to see the aurora from your location?

Kp Index Visible From Example Locations
Kp 0–1 66°N+ Fairbanks, Tromsø, Reykjavik
Kp 2–3 62–66°N Anchorage, Northern Iceland, Rovaniemi
Kp 4 58–62°N Juneau, Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo
Kp 5 54–58°N Edmonton, Glasgow, Copenhagen, Moscow
Kp 6 50–54°N Vancouver, Seattle, London, Amsterdam, Berlin
Kp 7 46–50°N Portland, Montreal, Paris, Munich, Prague
Kp 8 42–46°N Boston, Chicago, Rome, Barcelona, Denver
Kp 9 38–42°N San Francisco, Washington DC, Madrid, Athens

Viewing Tips

  • Look north — Aurora appears on the northern horizon for most viewers in the Northern Hemisphere
  • Higher Kp = further south — Strong storms push aurora visibility to lower latitudes
  • Elevation helps — Mountains or hills with clear northern views are ideal
  • Allow 30+ minutes — Your eyes need time to adapt to darkness
  • Check hourly — Activity can spike rapidly with substorms

Solar Cycle Status

Aurora frequency follows the 11-year solar cycle

Solar Cycle 25
Current Phase Solar Maximum

We're at the peak of Solar Cycle 25 (2024–2026). This means more frequent and intense aurora displays — the best viewing conditions in over a decade!

Minimum
2019 Maximum
2024–26 Minimum
2030–31
What this means

During solar maximum, the sun produces more sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — all of which can trigger spectacular aurora displays.

How to take advantage

Plan aurora trips in the next 1–2 years for the best odds. Even mid-latitude locations (Kp 6–7 events) are seeing more frequent activity during this peak period.

Settings by Aurora Intensity

Adapt your camera settings based on how active the aurora is

Faint / Weak Kp 1–3

Barely visible to naked eye, often appears as a gray-green glow on the horizon. Camera will capture more than you can see.

Aperture f/1.4 – f/2
Shutter 15 – 25 sec
ISO 3200 – 6400

Tip: Use longer exposures to pull out color. Stars will trail slightly — that's okay.

Moderate / Active Kp 4–5

Clearly visible green bands or curtains. May show movement. This is the "sweet spot" for photography.

Aperture f/1.8 – f/2.8
Shutter 8 – 15 sec
ISO 1600 – 3200

Tip: Balance exposure time with movement — shorter exposures preserve structure in moving curtains.

Strong / Dancing Kp 6–7

Vivid, fast-moving curtains and bands. Multiple colors visible (green, purple, red). Rapidly changing shapes.

Aperture f/2 – f/2.8
Shutter 3 – 8 sec
ISO 1600 – 3200

Tip: Go faster! Long exposures will blur the beautiful structure. Capture the movement.

Storm / Corona Kp 8–9

Explosive activity! Corona overhead, rays shooting in all directions. Rare and spectacular — shoot fast!

Aperture f/1.4 – f/2
Shutter 1 – 4 sec
ISO 3200 – 6400

Tip: Point straight up for corona shots! Use your widest lens. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Universal settings: Always shoot RAW, use manual focus at infinity (fine-tune on a bright star), turn off image stabilization on tripod, and use a 2-second timer or remote trigger.

Data provided by NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center