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Your Ultimate Guide to the Moderate Geomagnetic Storm Aurora Borealis
It often starts not with a sight, but with a notification.
An alert on your phone.
You’ve been tracking the alerts, watching the numbers, and
now the aurora borealis forecast is finally here: G2. Moderate. Kp 6.
You drive away from the city, find a dark spot, and wait. At
first, you question everything. Is that a cloud? Is that just light pollution
on the horizon?
Then, you see it.
“I WENT OUTSIDE, IT WAS PLAIN TO SEE AND ON EVERY
HORIZON,” one eyewitness reported. “I SAW IT AND IT BROUGHT A TINY
TEAR TO MY EYE, I AM NOT EXAGGERATING”.
This is the “moderate geomagnetic storm aurora
borealis.” It’s not just a faint, “camera-only” glow. It’s
an event. It’s the moment the sky becomes “mesmerizing,” with
“changing patterns clearly visible to the eye”. It’s an experience
that feels “incredible, humbling and magical”.
This is the human experience of a G2 storm. This guide is
your map to that moment. We’ll provide the data, the science, and the practical
steps so you, too, can earn the right to get lost in the wonder.
What Is a Moderate Geomagnetic Storm? (Decoding the "G2" Alert)
Before you can see it, it helps to know what you’re looking
for. That “G2” alert on your phone is a message from the sun, sent 93
million miles across space.
In simple terms, the sun releases a stream of charged
particles called the “solar wind”. Sometimes, massive eruptions on
the sun, like Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), hurl a “billion tons
of plasma” toward Earth.
When this powerful wave hits our planet’s magnetic field, it
funnels those particles toward the North and South poles. As these particles
slam into our atmosphere, they collide with gases—primarily oxygen
(creating green and red colors) and nitrogen (creating pinks and
purples).
The process is “much like how electrons… in a neon
light collide with… gasses to produce different colored light bulbs”.
Your Aurora Scorecard: G-Scale vs. Kp-Index
This is the most confusing part for a new aurora chaser. You
will see two different scales:
- The
Kp-Index (0 to 9): This is the scientific measurement. It indicates
the magnitude of the disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field.
- The
G-Scale (G1 to G5): This is the public communication tool. Used by
NOAA, this scale communicates the potential impacts of the storm
(on power grids, satellites, etc.).
The key connection, and the one that defines our topic, is
this:
A G2 (Moderate) storm is defined by a Kp index of 6.
If you’re waiting for a G5 “Extreme” storm (Kp 9),
you’ll be waiting a long time (they are incredibly rare). A G1
“Minor” storm (Kp 5) is common but often underwhelming.
A G2 “Moderate” storm (Kp 6) is the
“sweet spot” for chasers. It’s frequent enough (around 50-60 events
per year) and, most importantly, visibly rewarding.
The Aurora Hunter's "G-Scale" Cheat Sheet
If you’re waiting for a G5 “Extreme” storm (Kp 9),
you’ll be waiting a long time (they are incredibly rare). A G1
“Minor” storm (Kp 5) is common but often underwhelming.
A G2 “Moderate” storm (Kp 6) is the
“sweet spot” for chasers. It’s frequent enough (around 50-60 events
per year) and, most importantly, visibly rewarding.
The Aurora Hunter's "G-Scale" Cheat Sheet
What Does a Moderate Geomagnetic Storm Aurora Look Like?
A G2 (Kp 6) storm is special because it’s often the
threshold where the aurora transforms from something you photograph into
something you experience.
- From
“Camera-Only” to “Naked Eye”: Many new chasers are
disappointed on a G1 night, seeing only a faint, greyish cloud. A G2 storm
is the game-changer. During one G2 event in Seattle, observers reported
the “changing patterns [were] clearly visible to the eye”. It’s
no longer a “grey cloud”; it’s a “mesmerizing” show.
- A
“Memorable” Display of Color: While green remains dominant,
a G2 storm has enough energy to unlock pinks, purples, and even “some
red Aurora”—the “smoking gun” of a stronger storm.
- Location:
Horizon vs. Overhead: For most mid-latitude observers (e.g.,
Washington, New York, Montana), a G2 storm will be a spectacular show on
the northern horizon. You will be looking at the show, not under
it.
How You Can See the Next G2 Aurora: An Aurora Chaser's Guide
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need a good plan.
Step 1: Know the "Weather" (The 3-Day Forecast)
Your first stop is the official aurora forecast.
Check NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) “3-Day Forecast”.
Scan this chart for any block that shows “Kp = 6”. If you see
it, that’s your G2 storm watch.
Step 2: The Pro-Chaser's Secret (The "On/Off Switch")
This is the most important “expert” tip. A Kp 6
forecast is not a guarantee. You must also watch the Interplanetary Magnetic
Field (IMF), specifically a component called “Bz”.
Think of Bz as the “on/off switch.”
- If
Bz is positive (north): The “switch” is OFF. The particles
are deflected.
- If
Bz is negative (south): The “switch” is ON. The light show
begins.
Use a real-time aurora app. When you see the Bz dip negative
(e.g., -5 nT or lower), that’s your cue to get in the car.
Step 3: Find Your Spot (The "Where")
Two golden rules will determine 90% of your success:
- Get
Dark: You must get away from city lights (light pollution).
- Look
North: Find a spot with “an unobstructed view northwards.” A
north-facing lake, beach, or open field is ideal.
Step 4: Be Patient (The "When")
The best displays are “usually within an hour or two of
midnight (between 10 PM and 2 AM local time)”.
How to Photograph a Moderate Geomagnetic Storm Aurora
For a G2 storm, your camera will see the “changing
patterns” and rich colors even better than your eyes.
- Gear:
- Any
camera with Manual (M) mode.
- A
wide-angle (e.g., 12-24mm) and fast (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8) lens.
- A tripod
(this is 100% non-negotiable).
- Starting
Camera Settings:
- Focus:
Manual (MF). Your camera cannot autofocus on the aurora. Focus on a
bright, distant star.
- Aperture:
“Wiiiiide open” (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8) to let in the most light.
- ISO:
Start at ISO 1600 or 2000.
- Shutter
Speed: Start at 5 to 15 seconds.
- Pro-Tip:
Shutter Speed vs. “The Dance”
A faster, more active aurora requires a faster shutter
speed. If you use a long 20-second exposure, all that beautiful motion will
blur into a green smear. To “freeze the motion” and capture the crisp
rays, you need a shorter shutter speed, around 3 to 8 seconds.
Why Now? The 2024-2025 Solar Maximum (A Special Invitation)
If you’ve been hearing more about the aurora lately, you’re
not imagining things. We are in a special, exciting window of time.
The sun has an 11-year “heartbeat” called the
solar cycle. Right now, we are entering Solar Maximum, the peak of its
activity.
Why is this one special? The last solar maximum was the
“weakest one in 100 years”. We are just coming out of a long
“aurora drought.” The current cycle (Solar Cycle 25) “has roared
to life” and is proving to be strong.
Scientists predict this will “result in the most
frequent and impressive Northern Lights displays in more than a decade”.
This is the best northern lights aurora borealis forecast you could ask
for.
Conclusion: Your G2 Aurora Chasing Checklist
The moderate geomagnetic storm aurora borealis is the
sweet spot of space weather. It’s not the vanishingly rare G5 event, nor the
often-faint G1. A G2 (Kp 6) storm is a “memorable event,” a
“mesmerizing” dance of “clearly visible” light.
And thanks to the 2024-2025 Solar Maximum, there has never
been a better time to start your chase.
Your mission is clear. Here is your final checklist:
- Watch
the Forecast: Check NOAA’s SWPC 3-Day Forecast for a “G2” or
“Kp 6” prediction.
- Watch
the “Switch”: On that night, monitor the real-time Bz. When
it dips negative (south), your show is about to start.
- Go
Dark: Get as far away from city light pollution as you can.
- Go
North: Find a spot with a clear, dark northern horizon.
- Go
Late: Be patient. The “magic window” is between 10 PM and 2
AM.
- Share
the Wonder: Take your family, your friends, and your camera. Get ready
to be lost in the moment.
