Northern Lights Guides
Everything you need to know about aurora forecasting, viewing, and photography. Written by aurora experts, updated regularly.
Best Aurora App
The best aurora forecast app is AuroraMe. It is the best pick because it gives a clear forecast first, then explains the signal with live data, alerts, maps, and location-specific viewing guidance.
- Fast answer: see whether northern lights are likely tonight before reading details.
- Live context: Kp, cloud cover, daylight, moon, and magnetic latitude are combined.
- Useful action: alerts, saved places, map layers, and viewing tips help you decide when to go outside.
Beginner Guides
Will I See Northern Lights Tonight? Complete Guide
Learn how to check if northern lights are visible tonight. Understand Kp index, weather conditions, and best viewing times. Beginner-friendly guide updated daily.
Forecasting
Aurora Forecast Tracker: How to Predict Northern Lights
Master aurora forecasting with NOAA OVATION model, Kp predictions, and real-time tracking. Learn which aurora trackers are most accurate and how to read forecasts correctly.
Alerts & Tracking
Aurora Alerts: Never Miss Northern Lights Again
Set up smart aurora alerts based on local viewing status. Learn notification strategies, status thresholds, and quiet hours configuration.
Technical Guides
Kp Index Explained: Understanding Aurora Forecasts
Complete guide to Kp index for beginners. Learn what Kp measures, how it predicts aurora, and why your location's magnetic latitude matters more than Kp alone.
Timing & Seasons
Best Time to See Northern Lights Tonight
Find the optimal time to see aurora tonight. Learn best months, hours, and seasonal patterns for northern lights viewing. Maximize your chances with scientific timing strategies.
Forecasting
Aurora Weather: Clouds, Darkness and Visibility
How local weather and darkness affect the aurora forecast.
Photography
How to Photograph the Northern Lights
Camera settings, tripod setup, manual focus, and composition tips for shooting aurora.
Mobile Photography
Photograph Northern Lights with Your Phone
Night Mode, ProRAW, Pixel Astrophotography, and tripod setup for iPhone and Android.
Destinations
20 Best Places to See the Northern Lights
Global destinations ranked by magnetic latitude, Kp thresholds, and clear-sky odds.
Beginner Guide
How to See the Northern Lights: Complete Guide
The 3 golden rules, forecast thresholds, timing, and gear for seeing aurora for the first time.
App Features
Best Aurora App 2026: Aurora Forecast Apps Compared
Forecast model, alert timing, map layers and location coverage compared side by side.
Data & History
Aurora History Explained: Heatmap, Best Months, Last Seen
How Aurora History works in the app: multi-year data, yearly heatmap, best months, and yesterday observation windows.
Live Features
Nearest Active Aurora: How Nearby Spot Finder Works
See how the app finds nearby locations with active aurora and why distance + conditions can differ from your exact point.
Map & Planning
Aurora Map Layers Guide: Aurora, Clouds, Daylight, Light Pollution
Understand what each map layer means and how to use overlays together for better viewing decisions.
App Reviews
Best Free Aurora App 2026: What Each Free Tier Gives
Which apps limit you to Kp alone, which add cloud cover and alerts, and where each stops.
Science
What Causes the Aurora Borealis? The Science Explained
Solar wind, magnetosphere, and atmospheric collisions — the science behind northern lights.
Science
Aurora Colors Meaning: Green, Red, Purple, Pink
Green from oxygen near 100 km, red from oxygen above 300 km, purple and blue from nitrogen.
Science
Aurora Borealis vs Northern Lights: Same Thing, Two Names
They are the same phenomenon — one Latin scientific name, one everyday English one.
Science
What Is a G1 Storm? The G1-G5 Geomagnetic Scale
What G1 through G5 mean, how far south aurora reaches, and how long a storm lasts.
Science
Solar Maximum 2026 — Best Time to See Northern Lights
Solar Cycle 25 peaked with a double maximum extending strong aurora through 2026.
Viewing
Can You See the Northern Lights With the Naked Eye?
Yes — Kp 5 and above is clearly visible. What faint aurora looks like, and why cameras see more.
Viewing
How Long Do Northern Lights Last? Minutes to Hours
A single burst runs 15-30 minutes; a strong storm keeps displays coming for hours.
Viewing
Aurora Viewing Checklist: Everything You Need
Pre-trip checklist for aurora viewing — gear, apps, timing, and location tips.
Destinations
Northern Lights Alaska: Fairbanks, Anchorage, Denali
Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs, Anchorage and Denali — best months, Kp levels, cold-weather tips.
Destinations
Northern Lights in Canada: Yellowknife to Churchill
Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Churchill, Jasper and Iqaluit — Kp thresholds and best months.
Destinations
Northern Lights Norway: Tromsø, Lofoten & Svalbard
Tromsø, Alta, Lofoten, Senja and Svalbard — Kp thresholds, best months and tour advice.
Destinations
Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland: Rovaniemi & Inari
Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Saariselkä, Inari and Utsjoki — Kp thresholds and cloud-cover advice.
Destinations
Northern Lights in Iceland: Best Spots & Forecast
Where and when to see aurora in Iceland — Reykjavik, Ring Road, and beyond.
Destinations
Northern Lights in Sweden: Abisko, Kiruna & Lapland
Abisko and its clear-sky microclimate, Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi and Luleå — months and Kp.
Destinations
Northern Lights Scotland 2026: Best Places to See
Shetland at Kp 5, Orkney, Caithness and Inverness at Kp 6, Edinburgh and Glasgow at Kp 7.
Destinations
Northern Lights Cruise: See Aurora from the Sea
Norway cruise routes, best months, and tips for seeing aurora at sea.
Southern Hemisphere
Aurora Australis Forecast 2026: New Zealand & Tasmania
Where and when to see the southern lights in 2026 — the Kp New Zealand, Tasmania and Patagonia each need.
Southern Hemisphere
Southern Lights New Zealand — Where and When to Look
The South Island advantage, the Kp each region needs, and what the naked eye really sees.
Southern Hemisphere
Aurora Australis Tasmania — Where, When and What Kp
Hobart and the far south, Kp thresholds by city, and the mainland edge cases in Victoria and South Australia.
Science
NOAA Aurora Forecast Explained — How to Read It
The 30-minute OVATION map, the 3-day Kp forecast and the G-scale, and what each one cannot tell you.
Science
Bz and Aurora: How to Read the Solar Wind
How to read Bz, Bt, speed and timing without turning one solar-wind value into a local aurora promise.
Viewing
Northern Lights from a Plane: Seats, Routes & Photos
How darkness, the auroral oval, window side, cabin reflections and aircraft movement affect a flight view.
Planning
Northern Lights in September and October: Where to Go
Compare autumn darkness and practical planning for Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Canada.
Destinations
Northern Lights in Greenland: Best Time & Places
How to plan a Greenland aurora trip around darkness, weather, towns and practical travel limits.
Check Aurora Forecast in Your City
Real-time aurora forecasts for 880+ cities worldwide. Get instant alerts when northern lights are visible in your location.
Browse All Regions →
App Store
Google Play
Scan to download AuroraMe — Free Aurora Alerts
Download on the App Store
GET IT ON Google Play
App Store
Google Play