Aurora guides
The science behind the forecast, how to plan a trip around it, and how to actually photograph what you see. Start with what the Kp index isif you're new to aurora forecasting, or jump to whatever's relevant below.
Basics
How Aurora Forecasts Actually Work (and Why They Are Only 30-90 Minutes Ahead)
Aurora forecasts are only reliable 30-90 minutes out. Here is exactly how a live forecast like this one is built, layer by layer.
The NOAA G-Scale Explained: G1 to G5 Geomagnetic Storms
NOAA's G1-to-G5 storm scale explained: what each level means, how it maps to the Kp index, and how often each one actually occurs.
What Is the Kp Index? A Plain-English Guide
The Kp index is the single number most aurora forecasts lead with. What it actually measures and why it is a blunt instrument, not a precise prediction.
The science
Coronal Holes and Recurrent Geomagnetic Storms
Coronal holes drive steady, predictable geomagnetic storms that recur roughly every 27 days -- how they form and why that cadence matters.
Do Aurora Affect Power Grids? Geomagnetically Induced Currents Explained
Geomagnetic storms can induce real currents in power grids and pipelines. Here is the rate-of-change threshold that matters and how seriously to take it.
How to Read a Solar Wind Plot: Bz, Bt, Speed and Density
Every aurora forecast comes down to four numbers -- Bz, Bt, speed and density. Which one to watch first, and how to read them together.
Solar Cycle 25, Solar Cycle 26, and What They Mean for Aurora Chasers
The Sun's roughly 11-year activity cycle drives how often strong aurora happens. Where Solar Cycle 25 stands now and what comes next.
STEVE, Airglow, and Other Things That Are Not the Aurora
Not every glowing ribbon in the night sky is the aurora. How to tell the real thing apart from STEVE, airglow, and satellite trains.
Substorms Explained: Why the Aurora Suddenly Erupts
The sudden brightening that makes for a memorable aurora display has a name: a substorm. What actually happens during one, physically.
What Is a CME? Coronal Mass Ejections Explained
Coronal mass ejections drive the biggest geomagnetic storms and aurora displays. What they are, how they travel, and why timing them is hard.
Why Is the Aurora Green, Red and Pink? The Physics of Aurora Colour
Aurora colour comes down to which gas is glowing and at what altitude. The atomic physics behind green, red and pink displays, plainly explained.
Trip planning
How the Moon Affects Aurora Viewing
A bright moon can wash out a faint aurora. See how much it actually matters in measurable terms and how to plan around the lunar calendar.
Planning an Aurora Trip: How Many Nights Do You Actually Need?
Trip length, not destination, is the biggest factor in seeing the aurora. The actual probability math behind how many nights you need.
Reading a Cloud Forecast for Aurora Viewing
Clouds, not the Kp index, ruin most aurora trips. How to read a short-range cloud forecast and use satellite imagery to decide in real time.
The Aurora Australis: A Southern Hemisphere Viewing Guide
How the aurora australis differs from its northern twin: offset magnetic pole, sparser viewing sites, and where in the Southern Hemisphere to actually go.
The Best Time of Night to See the Aurora
The real statistical pattern behind when aurora displays peak overnight, why it centers near local midnight, and how to plan your watch window.
What to Wear for Aurora Viewing at -20°C to -30°C
Standing still outdoors at -20C to -30C is different from walking around. How to actually layer for it and the cold-weather warning signs to know.
Photography
Aurora Photography: Camera Settings That Actually Work
Camera settings that actually work for aurora photography: aperture, ISO, the 500 rule for star trails, and the mistakes that ruin first attempts.
Photographing the Aurora on a Phone
Modern phone cameras can capture the aurora with the right settings. RAW capture, manual apps, and what to expect versus a dedicated camera.