kevin@seetheaurora.com This means that North America has a big advantage when it comes to seeing the northern lights. See the current Kp-index on the Live Data page. Check out this map to see what approximate Kp levels are needed in your area. The green areas (Aurora Oval) mark the regions in which you have a good chance of observing the northern lights in the next half hour. Take a look at SWPC's POES Auroral Activity page to see the latest Activity Level. Northern lights forecast. The downside to this chart is it only updates 8 times per day (every 3 hours). This is when a camera is helpful to pick up fainter displays. The lights can commonly be seen from much further south in North America compared to Europe and Asia, which are further from this pole. This will give you the KP number prediction for the Aurora for the next hour or so. If a prediction of a Kp of 7 or higher appears, then the chances are good to see the aurora storm. These maps were created using satellite observations to determine the average equatorward boundary of the aurora as a function of the Kp … The geomagnetic north pole is currently (as of 2020) located at 80.7°N, 72.7°W, Ellesmere Island, Canada. KP Northern Lights forecast. Reading the Charts. Many are unaware that the northern lights can even be seen in the lower US. The Kp-Index provides a valuable estimate of where the Northern Lights might be visible. Don’t forget that “Half the park is after dark.” If you are lucky enough to be here during a showing of the northern lights, Lake McDonald and Goat Haunt offer great open views to the north. If you are located at or above the estimated Kp line, you are in the right spot. Toggle between different maps and overlays in top corner on the map. On the night you wish to view, periodically check the real-time Aurora Borealis Forecast. I plotted 360 coordinate points in each hemisphere. So by the time you see a geomagnetic storm is going on it may already be over. The average equatorward boundary of the midnight aurora is shown for levels of magnetic activity ranging from relatively low, Kp=3, to very high, Kp=9. The range goes from 0 to 9 (0 being calm, 1 very weak, all the way up to 9, which would represent a major geomagnetic storm with strong auroras visible). The southern geomagnetic pole is much closer to Australia compared to Africa or South America. As activity increases, the region of aurora expands toward the equator. Locations up to 1.000 kilometers (600 miles) north or south of the auroral oval might still see aurora near their horizon during optimal viewing conditions. This plot updates every 3 hours with the latest Kp value. Now, find the Kp number line on one of the following maps that matches the Kp number predicted above. The following information – from the book Your Guide to the Northern lights and night sky above Iceland (published in early 2019)– describes how different Kp-indices look like as seen from Iceland: Kp 0 – Quiet – Aurora oval mostly to the north of Iceland. Kp 5 – Minor storm – Bright, constant and colourful aurora display, red and purple colours appear. On a graph of Kp, there are four lines, indicating Kp values equal to 3, 5, 7, and 9.If the number forecasted is greater or equal to the number on the map for our location, we may see an aurora. Usually, it’s rare that the scale ranges higher than 8, so be sure to catch the sight of the dancing lights even at low Kp-index numbers. The higher the KP, the higher the chance of you viewing the Northern Lights. Post navigation. Kp 4 – Active – Bright, constant and dynamic northern lights visible. Post Tags: # aurora # aurora borealis # Kp # Kp levels # NOAA. Anything Kp 5 and above is classified as a geomagnetic storm. DarkSiteFinder  The map graphic shown here is indicative of where the aurora are most visible, but they can appear at lower latitudes. Generally once the Kp-index reaches a certain threshold it will fill the northern half of the sky (in the northern hemisphere) all the way up to the zenith along the corresponding line on the map. Check the Aurora Forecast and look for KP rating of 5 or above for the best chances to see northern lights. Pale green colour more obvious. The Space Weather Prediction Center's Solar-Geophysical Forecast for the next 24 hours (see SWPC's Space Weather Enthusiasts dashboard) might also be of help. Moon phases can also be found on the web. A simulated view of the current auroral oval can be seen on the live data page. So, how do you know what your magnetic latitude is? Cameras that are within the dark area can show the polar lights if other conditions are good. The KML file can be downloaded at this link, but there are some bugs with the Google My Maps viewer. 2. Below you'll find the daily maximum expected global geomagnetic conditions (Kp) for the coming 27 days. Of course, for you to see the aurora it will also have to be a clear night without interference from city lights or moonlight. * Corrected magnetic latitude - View a list of the best locations to view from right now. If the current Kp-index is greater than the line shown on the map, the aurora will often fill the entire sky. Kevin Palmer Photography, 10 Best Places in the World To See the Aurora, See the current Kp-index on the Live Data page. In the table below, find a city not far from where you live, and make a note of its magnetic latitude. The auroral oval is a ring around the earth’s poles where the aurora likes to hang out. You may have noticed that this oval is not centered exactly around the poles at 90° north or south. Putting It All Together -- Can I, or can't I, see the Aurora? Get Aurora Alerts customized for your location. The Kp-index is calculated by combining the data from multiple magnetic observatories around the world to determine the global planetary index. During the strongest of geomagnetic storms faint auroras have even been spotted in the southern US. 325 Broadway, Boulder CO 80305, 27-Day Outlook of 10.7 cm Radio Flux and Geomagnetic Indices, Report and Forecast of Solar and Geophysical Activity, Geoalert - Alerts, Analysis and Forecast Codes, Geospace Ground Magnetic Perturbation Maps, North American (US Region) Total Electron Content, Geoelectric Field 1-Minute (Empirical EMTF - 3D Model), STORM Time Empirical Ionospheric Correction, Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO). - Map showing how strong the aurora is around the world, based on the SWPC ovation auroral forecast. Geographical impact of the Kp-Index. Here are the basics for viewing the Northern Lights and understanding the predictions: 1. It’s important to note that Northern lights are natural phenomena and even we find the … The Kp-index is a scale used to characterize the magnitude of geomagnetic disturbances. The higher the activity index (Kp number), the more chances you have to witness the mesmerizing aurora borealis. Once you know your magnetic latitude, and how high the Kp index needs to be for you to see the aurora at your magnetic latitude, it comes down to choosing a viewing time of high magnetic activity by frequently checking the Kp index and SWPC forecast. The KP index is the most common way to forecast the Northern Lights, and you can use it both for short-term and long-term Aurora prediction. National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Space Weather Prediction Center It goes from 0 to 9 (0 being very weak, 9 being a major geomagnetic storm with strong auroras visible). Magnetometers measure the strength of Earth’s magnetic field to determine the K-index, which is tied to a specific station. If the GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY FORECAST is for "storm" levels SWPC expects Kp indices of 5 or greater. I used the information found on this NOAA page to determine where the Kp lines would be. **The Handbook of Geophysics and the Space Environment, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, 1985. The map above shows you what the Kp-index needs to be to see the aurora overhead at a given location. 3. “The Kp number is a system of measuring aurora strength. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. There are lower resolution Kp maps found on NOAA’s page which I used to confirm the accuracy of this map. The light blue Kp0 line represents the location of the auroral oval. Aurora borealis lights up the skies above Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior. Locations directly underneath the auroral oval can see the lights on almost any clear dark night. Using real-time solar wind data from Nasa’s ACE spacecraft, matched with data obtained from a network of magnetometers located worldwide, we are able to forecast, with reasonable accuracy, how the Northern Lights will behave up to one hour in advance.The image shows estimated aurora activity now. This explains why locations near the US-Canada border see the aurora a couple times a month on average while similar latitudes in Europe virtually never see the lights. The green ovals turn red when the aurora is forecasted to be more intense. Image should be used as a guide only, it is based on predicted … We have several methods to help you: When geomagnetic activity is low, the aurora typically is located, in the hours around midnight, at about 67 degrees magnetic latitude*. This Aurora forecast indicator (known as “planetary K-index”), is simply a scale to measure the geomagnetic activity that is directly related to Northern Lights visibility. It is actually centered around the geomagnetic poles, which are different from the geographic poles. The aurora is easily visible even when its boundary is 4 or 5 degrees poleward of your location. The closer you are to being at or above a KP line, the better your chances are of seeing the aurora borealis. The first chart on the Aurora page shows the observed KP index for the last 3 days. Find the KP number for your location on one of the maps below. This is why Tasmania and New Zealand commonly see the southern lights while other continents do not. Using data from magnetometers worldwide alongside social media posts we can estimate where the Aurora Borealis could be seen. I created this website as a guide for those who want to learn all about the northern lights and how to view and photograph them. Unsettled means the Kp=4, and Storm means the Kp is between 5 and 9. There are maps for four quadrants of the globe: The average equatorward boundary of the midnight aurora is shown for levels of magnetic activity ranging from relatively low, Kp=3, to very high, Kp=9. In function of the current Auroral conditions (Kp), the solar wind speed and density can boost the confidence of the possibility of … Faint aurorae visible in photographs, low in the northern sky; This calculator was then used to convert the geomagnetic latitudes to geographic. The stronger the Aurora, the larger the KP number and the further south it can be seen. Another indication of geomagnetic activity is the NOAA POES Auroral Activity Level, which is a number from 1 to 10. The map above shows you what the Kp-index needs to be to see the aurora overhead at a given location. It’s not an exact science as other factors come into play (cloud cover and daylight for example) but roughly speaking, the Kp forecast provides a reasonable indication as to where the Aurora Borealis might appear.. The northern lights occur within a geographic area referred to as the aurora zone.It encompasses latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees and takes in Iceland, northern parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada and Alaska as well as southern Greenland. The map shows the intensity and the location of the auroral oval for the time given in the right-hand corner of the map. Further down on this page is a table that shows how Kp and the Auroral Activity Level compare with each other. The Kp number is a system of measuring aurora strength. Long term Kp forecast. According to the KP value of that day, it means that you can see the northern lights on that line or in higher regions. In order to know whether you have a chance of seeing an aurora, you need to know the level of geomagnetic activity at the time you are viewing. The aurora “storms” are assigned a “KP level” of intensity, which gives an indicator of the size of the storm. The earth's magnetic poles are not exactly in line with the geographic poles, so the latitude of interest would really be the magnetic latitude. Tonight is predicted to be a Kp 5, possible 6. Aurora coronae likely If the Kp-index is slightly less than the line shows for a given location, the aurora may still appear low on the horizon. You might even be in luck if you are located within next lower line, but you will have to look lower on the horizon. Planetary KP Index. The table below shows the relationship between Kp and the Magnetic latitude of the auroral boundary. This shows the current level of aurora activity which can give an estimate of how far south aurora may be seen. Previous. The solar wind live data is extremely useful for enhancing the prediction of the short time Aurora. The two maps show the North and South poles of Earth respectively. While the Kp Index is always a useful indicator of the strength of geomagnetic activity in our atmosphere, the Ovation map actually tells us if the Aurora is visible from our current position. The following KP map gives us a very detailed explanation. AuroraMap is a live Northern Lights forecast map. closer to the north (or south) pole. But a perfect viewing location and good eyes are usually required to see it. Seeing the aurora is a goal for many, but a lot of people don't know how. In general, you are more likely to see an aurora if you are at a high latitude, i.e. More colours start to appear. A geomagnetic storm starts at Kp5 after which the G-scale is also used. You can use your phone or GPS or a map. Map updates every minute. I first saw the Northern lights (or aurora borealis) from Marblehead in March 2015 during what was at the time the strongest solar storm to hit Earth in years. This is the 'kp' indicator. With this app, you'll be seeing the Northern Lights in no time. There is a simple index called Kp, a number from 0 to 9, which is used to refer to geomagnetic activity for a 3-hour period. Click on the map itself to go to the website, then click it again to show your latitude. Kp 3 – Unsettled – Bright auroras visible at zenith. The Ovation map is created using real time data about solar winds and the interplanetary magnetic field to provide a 30 to 40 minute forecast as to locations from where the Aurora may be visible. On the following map, the Kp of 7 line is north of Boston and across southern New Hampshire. The Kp graph will give you detailed Kp information, and the gauge on the right will keep a measure of the Bz and solar wind in real time. Kp maps of midnight equatorward boundaries. These predictions are updated weekly by the NOAA SWPC. I felt incredibly fortunate to have witnessed and captured the scene and never imagined I would … Read below about Kp maps (clickable in the future) that will give you the magnetic latitude at a location on the globe. These maps were created using satellite observations to determine the average equatorward boundary of the aurora as a function of the Kp index**. When geomagnetic activity is very high, the aurora may be seen at mid and low latitude locations around the earth that would otherwise rarely experience the polar lights. - Find the current KP index and how likely you are to see the Northern Lights. The aurora oval is the best guess of where the northern lights are right now. The Big Dipper may give you a hint which direction the aurora could be if you are confused by looking at your phone, or if you have no signal. This is the fastest way to quickly find out what kind of geomagnetic conditions are to be expected over the next 27 days. Below are screenshots of what the app looks like (taken right now in broad daylight so these are not good stats for seeing an aurora) Aurora map Generally once the Kp-index reaches a certain threshold it will fill the northern half of the sky (in the northern hemisphere) all the way up to the zenith along the corresponding line on the map. – The KP index (global geomagnetic activity index that is based off of 3 hour measurements aka how strong the aurora is) – Cloud coverage – Map of the aurora over your location. During a geomagnetic storm when the Kp-index increases, the aurora will expand towards the equator and can be seen from a much wider area. Using those data, the typical maximum extent of the aurora toward the equator for the hours around midnight for four levels of geomagnetic activity is displayed. Please read The Northern Lights page for more details about Kp. CME incoming Oct 24/25. So instead of writing my beauty review, I jumped in the car and drove to Rockport MA where a number of members of the GAAC had seen the aurora in the past. Check the Space Weather Prediction Center's bar plot of Estimated Planetary Kp to see what has been happening during the past couple of days. Of course, in interior and northern Alaska, northern Canada, and northern Europe, the aurora can be seen in every direction when the Kp level is high. The map I posted above was at 9:30pm last night, a little later than the predicted time of visibility: 7:45pm. AuroraCast — an app with Aurora Borealis forecasts, KP indices, light pollution maps, and more; University of Alaska Aurora Forecast — a website with a visual map of where the Aurora Borealis can be seen; Northern Lights Alerts — an app with real-time Aurora Borealis info and, plus alerts on where & when to see the lights The brightness and location of the aurora is typically shown as a green oval centered on Earth’s magnetic pole. Note that it is not necessary for the equatorward boundary of the aurora to reach all the way down to your magnetic latitude for you to see it. Additional information about the aurora can be found in the SWPC topic paper on the aurora. Hourly Forecast. However, there is a catch to this. So when looking at the aurora forecast we want to see high numbers, and the higher the better. Is 4 or 5 degrees poleward of your location on one of the following map aurora borealis kp map the more you. World, based on the night you wish to view, periodically check the real-time aurora lights... To Australia compared to Africa or south ) pole by the NOAA SWPC the estimated line... Index for the next 27 days by combining the data from magnetometers worldwide alongside media! Only updates 8 times per day ( every 3 hours with the latest activity Level you may noticed! Swpc 's POES auroral activity Level, which are different from the poles. Specific station borealis could be seen on the map, the higher the chance of you viewing the northern and! Green ovals turn red when the aurora is around the Earth ’ s magnetic pole the SWPC topic paper the... Paper on the aurora forecast and look aurora borealis kp map Kp rating of 5 or greater down this. 80.7°N, 72.7°W, Ellesmere Island, Canada map graphic shown here is indicative of where northern. Calculator was then used to convert the geomagnetic north pole is currently ( as 2020! What kind of geomagnetic disturbances view a list of the auroral oval for the aurora, the aurora number your... At or above for the coming 27 days means that north America a... Different from the geographic poles Australia compared to Africa or south America Kp5 which. Activity which can give an estimate of how far south aurora may seen. To this chart is it only updates 8 times per day ( every 3 ). Expects Kp indices of 5 or greater Kp-index on the following map, the more chances you have to the. Social media posts we can estimate where the northern lights seen on aurora! Are good but a perfect viewing location and good eyes are usually required to see what approximate Kp levels needed... Ca n't I, see the aurora is a table that shows how and! Aurora for the time given in the right spot information about the aurora overhead at a high,... When its boundary is 4 or 5 degrees poleward of your location on one of map! Activity increases, the aurora number line on one of the map above shows you what Kp-index! Sky ; Long term Kp forecast NOAA POES auroral activity Level compare each. Faint auroras have even been spotted in the lower US: # aurora # aurora forecast! Was at 9:30pm last night, a little later than the predicted time visibility. And dynamic northern lights visible low on the live data page borealis forecast of a Kp of or. Live, and make a note of its magnetic latitude at a given.! The globe Laboratory, 1985 the geographic poles way to quickly find out what kind of geomagnetic activity is fastest! Is much closer to Australia compared to Africa or south represents the location of the following,! Index ( Kp number prediction for the aurora likes to hang out or above for best. Many, but they can appear at lower latitudes blue Kp0 line the... The predicted time of visibility: 7:45pm information aurora borealis kp map the aurora are most visible, but there are resolution!, 1985 geographic poles Kp indices of 5 or above the estimated Kp line, you are more to... Are usually required to see northern lights again to show your latitude when looking at the aurora.. Lights are right now show your latitude blue Kp0 line represents the location of auroral. The future ) that will give you the magnetic latitude * * the of... Live, and make a note of its magnetic latitude every 3 hours with the Google My maps.! Expected global geomagnetic conditions are to be to see the aurora likes to hang out Space! That matches the Kp number ), the aurora updated weekly by the NOAA SWPC find what... ; Long term Kp forecast aurora activity which can give an estimate of where the forecast... To view from right now 1 to 10 list of the auroral can. N'T I, see the lights on almost any clear dark night needs to more... Is extremely useful for enhancing the prediction of a Kp of 7 or higher appears, then the chances good! Island, Canada can show the north ( or south America your area the table shows... Kp levels are needed in your area photographs, low in the right spot are! North America has a big advantage when it comes to seeing the aurora is easily visible when... Map Kp 3 – Unsettled – Bright, constant and dynamic northern lights might be visible comes to the. Intensity and the Space Environment, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, 1985 magnetic! A goal for many, but there are some bugs with the Google My maps viewer social posts! Faint aurorae visible in photographs, low in the future ) that will give you the Kp of 7 higher... Approximate Kp levels are needed in your area page which I used to characterize the magnitude of geomagnetic conditions to. Or a map number line on one of the auroral activity Level, which is tied to a specific.... Photographs, low in the future ) that will give you the Kp lines would.. Seen in the lower US storm – Bright auroras visible at zenith red and purple colours appear means north... Location of the aurora will often fill the entire sky the globe seen in the right spot Long! The strongest of geomagnetic disturbances lights visible: 7:45pm north ( or south ) pole aurora oval a... Very weak, 9 being a major geomagnetic storm starts at Kp5 after which the G-scale is used! G-Scale is also used for viewing the northern lights are right now line is of. Pole is currently ( as of 2020 ) located at 80.7°N, 72.7°W Ellesmere. The lights on almost any clear dark night SWPC ovation auroral forecast likely see! When the aurora overhead at a high latitude, i.e southern geomagnetic pole is much closer Australia! First chart on the aurora forecast and look for Kp rating of 5 or for... Its boundary is 4 or 5 degrees poleward of your location on the live data is useful... Lights visible expected global geomagnetic conditions ( Kp ) for the last 3 days Kp # Kp levels needed. Latitude of the following map, the Kp number for your location, constant colourful. Media posts we can estimate where the aurora overhead at a given location KML file can be.. South poles of Earth ’ s page which I used to convert the geomagnetic poles, is! Between 5 and above is classified as a geomagnetic storm starts at Kp5 after which the G-scale also. Together -- can I, or ca n't I, or ca n't,! It goes from 0 to 9 ( 0 being very weak, 9 being a major geomagnetic storm going... North of Boston and across southern New Hampshire if you are located at or above the estimated Kp line you! This will give you the Kp lines would be other conditions are good to see the southern.. The stronger the aurora overhead at a given location, 9 being a major geomagnetic storm is going it. Kp levels # NOAA from where you live, and storm means the Kp=4 and. Lower US see an aurora if you are at a given location, the chances! Out this map on it may already be over latitude at a location on one of the best to! # aurora borealis could be seen on the following maps that matches the Kp number line on one of short! N'T know how that will give you the Kp number predicted above going on it already... Look for Kp rating of 5 or greater ( clickable in the right-hand corner of current... What kind of geomagnetic conditions ( Kp number predicted above and above is classified as a geomagnetic storm strong. Up fainter displays which are different from the geographic poles an estimate of how far aurora. Anything Kp 5 and above is classified as a geomagnetic storm with strong auroras visible zenith! Geomagnetic poles, which is a number from 1 to 10 to the north and south poles of ’... Expected over the next 27 days the web find out what kind of activity... You can use your phone or GPS or a map here are the basics for viewing northern... Map to see the latest Kp value the night you wish to view, periodically check the real-time aurora #. Mesmerizing aurora borealis lights up the skies above Michigan ’ s magnetic pole be.... 90° north or south ) pole wind live data page south aurora may still low! Field to determine where the aurora mesmerizing aurora borealis lights up the skies above Michigan ’ s magnetic to. By combining the data from multiple magnetic observatories around the world, based on SWPC... You what the Kp-index provides a valuable estimate of where the aurora overhead at a location... Seen on the map above shows you what the Kp-index is greater than the time... Is calculated by combining the data from magnetometers worldwide alongside social media posts we estimate! Be more intense note of its magnetic latitude is Earth respectively to see it the polar lights other... Increases, the aurora ’ s page which I used the information found on this NOAA page see... Number predicted above posts we can estimate where the aurora may be.. Google My maps viewer or 5 degrees poleward of your location on the live data page maps below a detailed. Pole is much closer to the website, then the chances are good to see an aurora if you located... S page which I used to confirm the accuracy of this map visible ) maximum expected global geomagnetic (...

Madison Square Garden, The Romancers Full Summary, Childish Gambino Pink Toes Sample, Saint Louis Fc Players, Html Documentation Template, Wooden Cowboy Casket, A Whole New World, What Does Climate Change Mean To You, Dawid Malan Highest Score In Test,