City
Seeing the northern lights from Denver
Denver sits at 47.3° magnetic latitude, well away from the auroral oval. Aurora reaches it during geomagnetic storms: about Kp 7.2 for a glow on the northern horizon, and Kp 9+ 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 Denver. 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 on the horizon from Denver
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora not in view from Denver
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora not in view from Denver
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora not in view from Denver
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Denver
Questions about the aurora in Denver
Can you see the northern lights in Denver?
Sometimes, during geomagnetic storms. It takes about Kp 7.2 to see aurora low on the northern horizon from Denver, and cameras often pick it up before your eyes do.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Denver?
About Kp 7.2 for aurora on the northern horizon and about Kp 9+ for aurora overhead. These come from Denver's magnetic latitude of 47.3°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Denver?
Face north (7°), 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 Denver?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 12:20 AM local time in Denver in December. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Denver?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Denver. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.