Check geomagnetic activity, the Kp index, solar wind, and NOAA aurora maps. These indicators help you plan when to look for the northern or southern lights; visibility also depends on your latitude, darkness, clouds, and local conditions. Live readings appear when the data connection is available.
No aurora data available
Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere. These collisions produce the stunning light displays known as the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and Southern Lights (Aurora Australis).
Mercury 91's Aurora tracker provides real-time data on geomagnetic activity, solar wind conditions, and aurora visibility forecasts to help you determine when and where these cosmic light shows might be visible.
The KP index is a global geomagnetic storm index used to characterize the magnitude of geomagnetic disturbances. It ranges from 0 (very low activity) to 9 (extreme geomagnetic storm).
The percentage beside Northern and Southern Lights is a KP scale, not the chance you will see lights from where you are. The OVATION images are NOAA maps of the auroral oval.
Solar wind is a stream of charged particles flowing outward from the Sun. Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are large eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona. Both carry particles that interact with Earth's magnetic field.
Earth's magnetic field channels these charged particles toward the polar regions, where they spiral down along magnetic field lines and interact with the upper atmosphere.
The colors of the aurora depend on which atmospheric gases the charged particles collide with: oxygen produces green and red light, while nitrogen creates blue and purple hues.
Mercury 91 displays the latest NOAA Kp index, available solar-wind readings, and NOAA OVATION maps for the northern and southern lights. Use these indicators to assess geomagnetic activity and the auroral oval. Local viewing also depends on your latitude, clouds, and darkness.
NOAA's OVATION maps provide a short-term outlook, usually 30 to 90 minutes ahead when solar-wind inputs are available. The percentages on Mercury 91 are Kp activity scales, not your local chance of seeing lights. Later hours on its timeline repeat the latest Kp reading; they are not a separate NOAA forecast.
There is no single Kp threshold for every location. Higher activity can move the auroral oval farther from the magnetic poles, but the relationship is approximate and uses geomagnetic latitude. Check the current NOAA maps alongside clear skies, darkness, and an unobstructed view toward the relevant pole.
The Aurora page sits alongside Mercury 91's sky tools, Cosmic Meditation, and Dream Journaling. Use the NOAA readings and maps to plan an evening of sky watching, then keep your observations or reflections in Mercury. These readings describe space weather, not effects on your mood or consciousness.
Plan a darker viewing spot with the light pollution map and check the sun and moon calendar. For the source guidance, read NOAA's aurora viewing tips and OVATION forecast explanation.