City
Seeing the northern lights from Edinburgh
Edinburgh sits at 58.1° magnetic latitude, just south of the usual auroral oval. A Kp of about 1.9 brings aurora into view low on the northern horizon, and about 4.1 puts it overhead.
Dark hours by month
Hours each night with the sun at least 12° below the horizon, on the 15th of each month.
The dark-sky season runs from August to April. From June the sky never gets fully dark, so aurora is effectively out of sight. 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 Edinburgh
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora overhead from Edinburgh
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora overhead from Edinburgh
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora on the horizon from Edinburgh
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Edinburgh
Questions about the aurora in Edinburgh
Can you see the northern lights in Edinburgh?
Yes, on active nights. You need a Kp of about 1.9 for aurora on the northern horizon and clear, dark skies away from city lights.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Edinburgh?
About Kp 1.9 for aurora on the northern horizon and about Kp 4.1 for aurora overhead. These come from Edinburgh's magnetic latitude of 58.1°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Edinburgh?
Face north-northwest (344°), 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 Edinburgh?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 11:40 PM local time in Edinburgh in December. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Edinburgh?
The dark-sky season runs from August to April. From June the sky never gets fully dark, so aurora is effectively out of sight. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.