About AuroraTracker

Real-time aurora forecasts and comprehensive viewing guides, built on trusted scientific data sources.

Our Mission

AuroraTracker was built with a single purpose: help people see the northern lights. Whether you are planning a trip to the Arctic or checking if the aurora might be visible from your backyard tonight, our forecasting tools and location guides give you the information you need to maximize your chances.

Aurora viewing depends on the intersection of solar activity, Earth's magnetic field, local weather, and sky darkness. We bring all of these factors together into a single, easy-to-read forecast that answers the question everyone asks: “Can I see the northern lights tonight?”

How We Source Our Data

Accuracy matters when you are planning around a natural phenomenon that can disappear in minutes. Every data point on AuroraTracker comes from established, peer-reviewed sources used by professional space weather forecasters worldwide.

NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

The primary source for KP index values, geomagnetic storm warnings, and aurora oval predictions. NOAA's SWPC is the official US government source for space weather data, monitored by the DSCOVR satellite positioned at the L1 Lagrange point 1.5 million km from Earth.

swpc.noaa.gov

Open-Meteo Weather API

Cloud cover forecasts for every location in our database. Open-Meteo aggregates data from national meteorological services worldwide, providing hourly cloud cover predictions that are essential for determining if you will actually see the aurora through the sky above you.

open-meteo.com

Lunar & Solar Calculations

Moon phase, moonrise/moonset times, and astronomical twilight calculations are computed algorithmically to determine sky darkness at each location. A dark sky free of moonlight is critical for observing fainter aurora displays.

Curated Location Data

Our viewing location database is hand-curated with GPS coordinates, Bortle dark sky classifications, viewing spot recommendations, local transport information, and accommodation guides. Each location is verified against satellite light pollution data and local tourism authority information.

Forecast Methodology

Our aurora viewing probability combines three independent data streams into a single percentage score for each location:

Geomagnetic Activity (KP Index) from NOAA SWPC determines whether the auroral oval extends far enough south to reach your latitude. Higher KP values expand the oval and increase aurora intensity.
Cloud Cover Forecast from Open-Meteo predicts whether the sky above your location will be clear enough to see through. Even a stunning KP 7 storm is invisible under overcast skies.
Sky Darkness calculated from moon phase, moonrise/moonset times, and astronomical twilight. A dark, moonless sky allows you to see fainter aurora details and colors that would be washed out by moonlight.

These three factors are weighted and combined to produce a viewing probability from 0% (no chance) to 100% (ideal conditions). The forecast updates in near real-time as NOAA publishes new KP data and weather models refresh their predictions.

Editorial Policy

All content on AuroraTracker is written and reviewed by contributors with direct experience in aurora observation, astrophotography, and Arctic travel. Our location guides are based on firsthand visits and verified local knowledge, not generated from template data alone.

We maintain editorial independence from all commercial partners. Sponsored content and affiliate links are clearly disclosed with rel="sponsored" attributes, and commercial relationships never influence our forecast data, viewing recommendations, or editorial judgments about locations.

If you find inaccurate information on any page, please contact us and we will investigate and correct it promptly.