Astrospheric displays several Aurora-related datasets to aid in determining when and where an Aurora will be visible.

The forecasted Kp index is available on the hourly forecast as well as the extended cloud forecast.

The Kp index measures geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 to 9, where higher numbers indicate stronger disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field. For aurora viewing, a Kp index of 5 or higher usually suggests auroral activity could be visible at mid-latitudes. Lower values indicate auroras are more likely confined to higher latitudes, closer to the poles. Use the Kp index to determine when an aurora may be visible in your region, especially in conjunction with clear skies.

Astrospheric Pro members can set weather alerts to pinpoint specific upcoming Kp and cloud cover conditions.

The Aurora data card shows short-term Aurora datasets. These datasets are updated in near real-time and help with short-term planning.

The 3D globe displays the current Ovation visual. This shows a predicted likelihood of an aurora being visible as a percentage for a given location. The Ovation visual is updated every 5 minutes, and pressing play will display the last few hours of data.

The Aurora data card also displays critical solar wind parameters that influence auroral activity: speed, density, and Bz (GSM). The graphs for each of these values are updated in near real-time and show trends over time, with a line representing the running average of the last 10 data points.

• Solar wind speed: Faster solar wind speeds typically correlate with stronger auroral activity. When the solar wind reaches speeds above 500 km/s, the chance of auroras increases, particularly if other conditions are favorable.
• Density: The density of the solar wind, measured in particles per cubic centimeter, affects how much solar material is interacting with Earth's magnetic field. Higher densities can intensify auroras when combined with other favorable factors.
• Bz (GSM): This is the north-south component of the solar magnetic field. When the Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind to connect more easily with Earth's magnetic field, increasing the chances of auroral activity. A positive (northward) Bz generally suppresses auroras. Monitoring the Bz component is crucial for short-term aurora predictions.