Aurora Overview
A place for plain-English explanations, quick links, and “what it means” summaries.
Kp Index
What is Kp?
Quick scale (0–9) that summarizes global geomagnetic activity. Higher Kp → stronger chance for visible aurora at lower latitudes.
placeholderRule of Thumb
Kp 4–5 = active; Kp 6–7 = storm; Kp 8–9 = strong to extreme storm.
For a live view of where the aurora oval is strongest right now, try the interactive 3D globe:
Coming Soon
Live Kp (nowcast/forecast) tiles and a simple “can I see it?” indicator.
Live Aurora Conditions
Kp (planetary)
Geomagnetic activity (0–9)
Last Kp period: —
IMF Bz (GSM)
North–south component of IMF
Waiting for data…
Solar wind
Speed & density near Earth
Density: — cm⁻³
Waiting for data…
OVATION • North
OVATION • South
Alerts & Thresholds
Define alert levels (e.g., notify at Kp ≥ 5, or when Bz ≤ −5 nT for ≥ 30 min). We’ll connect this to your watch/phone pipeline.
Learn the Basics
Where does aurora come from?
Charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, producing light (mostly oxygen & nitrogen emissions).
Why do people care about Bz?
When the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) points south (negative Bz), magnetic reconnection is favored, enabling stronger geomagnetic activity.
What does Kp 7 mean for me?
It means a strong geomagnetic storm is possible; aurora may be visible at lower latitudes. We’ll add a latitude map here.
Useful Links
Coming Soon
Links to live data feeds and external resources.