City
Seeing the northern lights from Boston
Boston sits at 51.5° magnetic latitude, well away from the auroral oval. Aurora reaches it during geomagnetic storms: about Kp 5.1 for a glow on the northern horizon, and Kp 7.4 or more for a display overhead.
Dark hours by month
Hours each night with the sun at least 12° below the horizon, on the 15th of each month.
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Boston. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.
What each storm level means here
The higher the Kp index, the farther the oval spreads toward the equator.
- Kp 9G5 extreme storm: aurora overhead from Boston
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora on the horizon from Boston
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora not in view from Boston
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora not in view from Boston
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Boston
Questions about the aurora in Boston
Can you see the northern lights in Boston?
Sometimes, during geomagnetic storms. It takes about Kp 5.1 to see aurora low on the northern horizon from Boston, and cameras often pick it up before your eyes do.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Boston?
About Kp 5.1 for aurora on the northern horizon and about Kp 7.4 for aurora overhead. These come from Boston's magnetic latitude of 51.5°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Boston?
Face north (360°), toward the magnetic pole. That is where the aurora rises first. In a strong storm it can spread across the whole sky.
What time of night is best for the aurora in Boston?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 11:55 PM local time in Boston in December. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Boston?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Boston. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.