City
Seeing the northern lights from Chicago
Chicago sits at 50.7° magnetic latitude, well away from the auroral oval. Aurora reaches it during geomagnetic storms: about Kp 5.6 for a glow on the northern horizon, and Kp 7.8 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 Chicago. 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 Chicago
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora on the horizon from Chicago
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora not in view from Chicago
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora not in view from Chicago
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Chicago
Questions about the aurora in Chicago
Can you see the northern lights in Chicago?
Sometimes, during geomagnetic storms. It takes about Kp 5.6 to see aurora low on the northern horizon from Chicago, and cameras often pick it up before your eyes do.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Chicago?
About Kp 5.6 for aurora on the northern horizon and about Kp 7.8 for aurora overhead. These come from Chicago's magnetic latitude of 50.7°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Chicago?
Face north (4°), 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 Chicago?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 12:05 AM local time in Chicago in December. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Chicago?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Chicago. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.