City
Seeing the southern lights from Dunedin
Dunedin sits at 49.4° magnetic latitude, well away from the auroral oval. Aurora reaches it during geomagnetic storms: about Kp 6.2 for a glow on the southern horizon, and Kp 8.4 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 Dunedin. 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 Dunedin
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora on the horizon from Dunedin
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora not in view from Dunedin
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora not in view from Dunedin
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Dunedin
Questions about the aurora in Dunedin
Can you see the southern lights in Dunedin?
Sometimes, during geomagnetic storms. It takes about Kp 6.2 to see aurora low on the southern horizon from Dunedin, and cameras often pick it up before your eyes do.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Dunedin?
About Kp 6.2 for aurora on the southern horizon and about Kp 8.4 for aurora overhead. These come from Dunedin's magnetic latitude of 49.4°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Dunedin?
Face south-southwest (193°), 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 Dunedin?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 12:20 AM local time in Dunedin in June. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Dunedin?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Dunedin. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.