:IMAGE

:STATS
[icon:STAR] Solar cycle | Cycle 25, declared at maximum October 2024 by NOAA and NASA
[icon:CHART] Peak sunspot number | 337 (August 8, 2024), highest since March 2001
[icon:CLOCK] Solar maximum window | October 2024 to approximately March 2026 (declining, still active)
[icon:STAR] Best viewing months | October through March (longest dark nights)
[icon:TARGET] Kp index scale | 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme geomagnetic storm)
[icon:FIRE] G1 storm threshold | Kp 5, the point auroras become realistic at mid-latitudes

:INFO
The Sun Overperformed, and That Is Good News for You
Solar Cycle 25 was forecast in 2019 to be average, peaking at roughly 115 sunspots. It reached a daily count of 337 in August 2024, the highest in over 20 years. NOAA and NASA officially declared the solar maximum phase on October 15, 2024. The maximum was expected to wind down toward March 2026, but the cycle is still elevated. Coronal mass ejections are reaching Earth several times per month, and G1 to G3 storms producing visible aurora at 50 degrees latitude or lower remain common. People as far south as Florida and southern Spain saw bright auroras during the peak G4 and G5 events of 2024 and 2025. October 2026 sits on the declining slope, but the window is still open.

:LINK
https://www.spaceweather.gov/news/solar-cycle-25-likely-reached-highest-sunspot-number-over-20-years
NOAA Space Weather: Solar Cycle 25 reached the highest sunspot number in over 20 years

:INFO
What Kp Do You Actually Need Where You Live
The Kp index runs 0 to 9, measuring geomagnetic disturbance globally. Each step up roughly doubles the energy involved. What matters for aurora visibility is your geomagnetic latitude, which differs from geographic latitude because Earth's magnetic pole sits over the Canadian Arctic rather than the geographic pole. The practical rule: Kp 3 covers Iceland and northern Norway. Kp 5 covers southern Scandinavia, Scotland, and the northern US tier (Minnesota, Michigan, Montana). Kp 7 reaches central England, the Netherlands, and the US midwest. Kp 9 is required for southern Europe and the southern US. The table below gives approximate minimum Kp for overhead aurora, drawn from the NOAA SWPC Kp-to-latitude model.

:STATS
[icon:TARGET] Tromsoe, Norway (70 N) | Kp 2, aurora on most clear nights
[icon:TARGET] Reykjavik, Iceland (64 N) | Kp 3, several nights per week at solar max
[icon:TARGET] Inverness, Scotland (57 N) | Kp 5 minimum, G1 storm required
[icon:TARGET] Edinburgh, Scotland (56 N) | Kp 5 to 6, check the forecast every night
[icon:TARGET] Amsterdam, Netherlands (52 N) | Kp 6, moderate storm required
[icon:TARGET] Duluth, Minnesota, USA (47 N) | Kp 5, G1 storm often sufficient
[icon:TARGET] Chicago, Illinois, USA (42 N) | Kp 7, strong storm required
[icon:TARGET] London, England (51 N) | Kp 6, on the edge during a moderate storm
[icon:TARGET] Paris, France (49 N) | Kp 7 minimum, has occurred in 2024 and 2025
[icon:TARGET] New York City, USA (41 N) | Kp 7 to 8, only on major storms

:INFO
How to Read the Forecast and When to Go Outside
Three numbers matter: the current Kp, the 30-minute forecast, and the 3-day outlook. NOAA's 30-minute aurora forecast shows the auroral oval updated every 30 minutes. When the oval expands and brightens toward red, aurora is moving to lower latitudes. For advance warning, use the 3-day Kp prediction on SpaceWeatherLive, which pulls from NOAA and can send push alerts on G1 or stronger storms.

Within a night, aurora can appear any time after astronomical dark, but the statistical peak is between 10 PM and 2 AM local time. Clear skies and dark sites matter as much as Kp. A Kp 6 storm from a dark field is spectacular. The same storm from a city centre may show only a faint glow near the horizon.

:LINK
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast
NOAA SWPC: Aurora 30-Minute Forecast, live oval map updated every 30 minutes

:INFO
The Three Best Apps and How to Use Each
SpaceWeatherLive (iOS and Android) is the most complete option. It shows the live Kp index, the 3-day forecast, alerts for G1 and above, and a dark mode to preserve your night vision. AuroraMap (auroramap.app) combines the NOAA oval with local cloud cover and moon phase so you can see whether your sky is actually clear. AuroraMe (iOS) converts space weather, cloud cover, moon brightness, and local darkness into a single visibility percentage from 0 to 100, useful if you want a one-number answer without reading a Kp chart. All three are free. Set push notifications to G1 or above for automatic alerts on storm nights.

:INFO
How to Photograph Aurora on Your Phone
The main mistake is using the camera in full auto, which fires the flash or takes a short underexposed shot. On iPhone: wait for the Night mode icon (a yellow crescent moon), tap it, and drag the exposure timer to the maximum (up to 30 seconds). Lock focus at infinity by tapping on a bright star and holding until AE/AF Lock appears, then use the 3-second timer to prevent shake. On Android: switch to Pro or Manual mode, set ISO to 1600, shutter speed to 8 to 10 seconds, focus to infinity, and use the 2-second timer. Shoot RAW if your phone offers it for better colour editing. Rest the phone on a stable surface or mini tripod.

:NOTE
Your eyes are more sensitive to faint aurora than your camera, but the camera picks up colours your eyes miss. A pale grey glow can show vivid green or purple in a 10-second exposure. If you are unsure whether you see aurora or a lit horizon, point your phone at it and take a shot to find out.

:CHECKLIST
What to Do on the Night
[ ] - Check SpaceWeatherLive or NOAA for Kp 5 or above before leaving home.
[ ] - Confirm the cloud forecast. Clear skies are mandatory.
[ ] - Get away from city lights. A 20-minute drive can make a dramatic difference.
[ ] - Give your eyes 20 minutes to dark-adapt before expecting to see faint aurora.
[ ] - Dress for standing still in the cold, not for walking.
[ ] - Mount your phone on a tripod or prop it on a solid surface for long exposures.
[ ] - Face north to northeast first. Aurora appears there during moderate storms.
[ ] - Stay at least an hour. Displays fade and return; the best curtains last only minutes.

:LINK
https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/help/the-kp-index.html
SpaceWeatherLive: The Kp index explained, with visibility table by latitude