SKY · AURORA · NEW ZEALAND
Aurora Forecast — Invercargill
Invercargill is a storm-only location — it only sees the aurora during strong-to-severe geomagnetic storms, when the oval pushes unusually far toward the equator.
Unlikely tonight
The aurora is unlikely from Invercargill right now: the Kp is 1.0, below the Kp 8+ this location needs for the oval to reach you. Worth checking back if a geomagnetic storm is forecast — that's when the lights push this far north.
Sources: Kp from NOAA SWPC · cloud from Open-Meteo · Moon & darkness computed · viewing threshold from Invercargill's geomagnetic latitude (IGRF). Figures update through the night.
How tonight's verdict is worked out for Invercargill
Most aurora trackers show you a single number — the Kp index — and leave the rest to you. Seeing the aurora actually depends on five things, and we weigh all of them for Invercargill:
- Where Invercargill sits — its geomagnetic latitude is about 51°, which sets the Kp it needs (roughly Kp 8).
- How active the field is — the live Kp index, right now 1.0.
- Cloud cover — thick cloud hides the lights completely; this is usually the factor that decides the night.
- Darkness — the aurora is invisible in twilight, and in far-southern midsummer the sky may never get truly dark.
- The Moon — a bright Moon washes out a faint display (a strong one still shows through).
Only when the activity reaches the level Invercargill needs andthe sky is clear and dark do we call it “likely.” If something's holding the night back, the verdict says which.
Seeing the southern lights from Invercargill
On a promising night, get away from street lighting, give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt, and look toward the southern horizon. A faint grey-green arch to the naked eye often shows up far more vividly through a phone or camera on a long exposure.
Invercargill right now
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