The Kp Index measures global geomagnetic activity (0-9). Higher = stronger aurora.

• 0-2: Quiet - High latitudes only
• 3-4: Unsettled - Northern US/Canada
• 5-6: Storm - Mid-latitudes
• 7+: Severe - Widespread

Bz is the magnetic field direction. South (negative) = aurora favorable!

• South (-): ✅ Particles enter atmosphere
• North (+): ⛔ Blocked by Earth's field

Hemispheric Power = total energy into the aurora (GW).

• <20: Quiet
• 20-50: Minor
• 50-100: Moderate - good!
• >100: Strong - excellent!

Solar Wind Speed = how fast particles travel to Earth.

• <400: Slow
• 400-500: Moderate
• 500-700: Fast - enhanced
• >700: Very fast!

Density = particle concentration. Higher = brighter colors!

• <3: Low - weaker
• 3-10: Normal
• 10-20: Enhanced
• >20: High - very colorful!

Clear skies are essential for aurora viewing. You need to see the sky!

• 0-20%: Clear - excellent!
• 20-50%: Partly cloudy - fair
• 50-80%: Mostly cloudy - poor
• >80%: Overcast - unlikely

The Solar Wind Journey represents the time it takes for particles measured by the DSCOVR satellite to reach Earth.

DSCOVR sits about 1.5 million kilometers away. By the time it detects a change, we have a short "heads-up" window before that same solar wind hits our atmosphere and potentially starts the aurora.

Aurora is much dimmer than sunlight. To see it clearly (or at all), you need the sky to be dark.

The Darkness Window shows your local sunset and sunrise times. The best viewing is usually from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise.