Wednesday, 1 July 2026· active all through 2026lesser-known
Aurora & the solar maximum
The Sun is near the peak of its 11-year cycle, so 2026 is one of the best aurora years in a decade — with displays occasionally pushing to lower latitudes than usual. Your chance depends on geomagnetic activity (the Kp index) and how far north (or south) you are.
Best visibility
Higher latitudes
Moon in 2026
Darker, moonless nights show fainter aurora better.
How to see it
- Watch the live Kp / aurora forecast and head out on active nights.
- Get a clear view toward the pole (north in the northern hemisphere), away from city glow.
- A phone on night mode often reveals colour the eye can't — a good way to confirm faint aurora.