Aurora alert 1-19/20-2026 (first of the year)

[BF Hammer]

I am seeing conflicting data here, but what I cannot deny is that there is a flood of aurora photos being posted from Europe in the past couple of hours on my AuroraReach app. I have 1 aurora web site telling me the KP index is at 9 right now and a G4 geomagnetic storm. The Geophysical Institute website is showing a much lower level of activity with a forecast of declining activity overnight.

So my past experience is that Geophysical Institute is kind of slow to react to a trend. The photos being currently posted in my AuroraReach app is a far more reliable indicator of activity. I say if you have somewhat clear skies and can brave the cold tonight, get your tripod and widest lens dusted off and put to work. If your eyes see nothing, take a test photo with a phone and check that.

 

[BF Hammer]

I see an AuroraReach photo post from 30 miles away from my home. I just stepped out and tried night vision mode on the phone. Nothing to see. That actually worked for me during the May 2024 event. So there is some off-on activity. I am not willing to be out in the sub-zero cold tonight.

 

[BF Hammer]

Still time on West Coast to get something. Looks like I slept through a major event in the early morning.

 

[nikonpup]

NOT MY PHOTO - IMO BEST OF IMAGES POSTED ON FACEBOOK FROM THE WEST COAST.

 

[Paliswe]

You can check out the possibility for Aura on this site:

earth :: a global map of wind, weather, and ocean conditions

See current wind, weather, ocean, and pollution conditions, as forecast by supercomputers, on an interactive animated map. Updated every three hours.

earth.nullschool.net

You can turn earth around with your mouse pointer.
Down to the left you find a huge amount of alternative weather related items if you are interested.

 

[BF Hammer]

I like AuroraReach due to the unscientific use of user reports and photos to gauge activity. I have chased aurora too many times based on a favorable KP index and found nothing. The personal reports from other users in my area really is the way to waste time less.

https://aurorareach.com/

And this being a repost of another photographer's images (Matt Melnyk) from the night. He used a Canon R6 and 14mm lens shot from the cockpit of a Boeing 787 flying over Canada. This is from Space.com today.