THE AURORA FIELD GUIDE
A little wonder.
A better understanding.
Learn what makes the lights dance, how to read the forecast, and what to do when the sky gives you a chance.
How to use the 27-day aurora outlook
Use NOAA’s longer-range Kp outlook for flexible planning, understand daily maxima and forecast uncertainty, and know when to switch back to the short-term map.
4 min readWhat causes the northern lights?
Follow the aurora from the solar wind to glowing oxygen and nitrogen, and discover why the lights form curtains around Earth's magnetic poles.
4 min readHow to read an aurora forecast
Understand the aurora map, destination activity markers, Kp index and forecast timestamps without confusing model activity with a guaranteed sighting.
4 min readWhen is the best time to see the northern lights?
Choose a viewing season and time of night using darkness, local weather and the short-term forecast rather than a single promised aurora hour.
4 min readWhere can you see the northern lights?
Explore northern-lights destinations including Reykjavík, Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Tromsø and Finnish Lapland, and learn how to choose a viewing spot.
4 min readHow to photograph the northern lights
A practical first-night aurora photography guide: steady your phone or camera, focus carefully, adjust exposure and leave time to enjoy the sky.
4 min readA beginner's guide to the southern lights
Meet the aurora australis, learn why Tasmania and southern New Zealand are popular viewing bases, and plan a night looking toward the southern horizon.
4 min readWhy are auroras green, red, pink and purple?
Discover how oxygen, nitrogen, altitude and human night vision create the colors of the northern and southern lights.
4 min readNorthern lights FAQ: clouds, moonlight and first sightings
Straightforward answers to common aurora questions, from clouds and city lights to moonlight, summer viewing and recognizing your first display.
4 min read