Free email alerts for New Zealand aurora conditions.
Aurora levels are currently low.
Notice to users: The Space Weather Prediction Centre has removed the data stream that this site was relying on for short term data. The three day extended predictions are still available and daily emails are working for those. I have managed to restore some short term data displayed which is displayed below (Short-term forecast), however email alerts are no longer working for the short term forecast.
Short term alerts will not be fixed at this site. However, I've created a new site with a better way to give stargazing and aurora alerts that includes short term aurora forecast data again. The new site takes into account moon phases, sun and moon positions, and cloud cover for your location. Visit outsidelookingup.com to sign up - it's also a free service.
This site is designed to give a quick and easy way to check possible aurora activity in your area. Although the information on the site is geared towards New Zealand, it would also be useful in South America or southern parts of Australia. Times given on the site are NZ local time.
To see aurora you need a clear night with no clouds or bright moonlight, in a location away from city light pollution. To find out more about viewing the aurora, read the help page.
You can also sign up for free email alerts. These can include daily forecasts for the next three days aurora activity, as well as real-time alerts when Kp levels go above your preset level. To get started with alerts, visit the alerts page.
You'll need a free account to signup for alerts - register here.
No data is currently available. This sometimes occurs when there is a system or equipment outage, and is usually restored after two hours.
3 Day aurora forecast
Data issued 12:30am September 19, 2024. This information is updated every 12 hours.
The greatest observed Kp over the past 24 hours was 6. The greatest expected Kp over the next three days is 4.00.
The following forecast times are in NZ local time:
18 Sep 2024
12pm to 3pm
Kp 4.00
3pm to 6pm
Kp 2.33
6pm to 9pm
Kp 1.67
9pm to 12am
Kp 2.00
19 Sep 2024
12am to 3am
Kp 2.00
3am to 6am
Kp 1.33
6am to 9am
Kp 1.33
9am to 12pm
Kp 2.67
12pm to 3pm
Kp 2.33
3pm to 6pm
Kp 3.00
6pm to 9pm
Kp 2.33
9pm to 12am
Kp 2.00
20 Sep 2024
12am to 3am
Kp 1.67
3am to 6am
Kp 1.33
6am to 9am
Kp 1.33
9am to 12pm
Kp 2.00
12pm to 3pm
Kp 1.33
3pm to 6pm
Kp 1.33
6pm to 9pm
Kp 1.67
9pm to 12am
Kp 1.67
21 Sep 2024
12am to 3am
Kp 1.33
3am to 6am
Kp 1.67
6am to 9am
Kp 1.33
9am to 12pm
Kp 1.33
About the Kp readings
Data is forecast or recorded using the following methods:
Current Kp: Current levels expected on Earth. This is based on current data from a satellite positioned in L1 orbit, to give a short-timescale prediction at Earth.
Highest forecast Kp in the next hour: This uses the University of Michigan’s Geospace model to predict what the Kp level is expected to be in the near future, based on current satellite data. The Geospace model can provide Kp forecasts with approximately 30 to 60 minutes advanced warning, depending on the speed of the solar wind.
Highest observed Kp in the past 24 hours: Taken from the 3-day NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast, updated every 12 hours by the Space Weather Prediction Center.
Highest forecast Kp in the next three days: Taken from the 3-day NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast, updated every 12 hours by the Space Weather Prediction Center.
