Space Weather Academy
Guides
In-depth guides on aurora photography, the science behind seasonal aurora activity, and finding dark skies.
The Ultimate Guide to Northern Lights Photography
Smartphone and DSLR camera settings for capturing sharp, clean aurora photos.
The Equinox Effect
Why geomagnetic storms and aurora activity spike near the March and September equinoxes — the real Russell-McPherron effect.
Light Pollution 101
How to read Bortle dark-sky scale maps to find pristine observing corridors.
The Interplanetary CME Impact Manual
Flight velocities and shockwaves — the real, published Drag-Based Model of how CMEs transit to Earth.
Decoding Live Magnetometer Charts
Read real-time ground-based magnetometer deflection data, faster than the lagging Kp index.
What Is the Kp Index?
The universal 0-to-9 scale used to measure global geomagnetic storm intensity and aurora visibility.
What Is the Solar Wind?
The continuous stream of ionized plasma blowing from the Sun — speed, density, and why it matters.
What Is a Geomagnetic Storm?
Magnetospheric compression phases and NOAA's G-scale classifications, from G1 to G5.
What Is the Bz Component?
Why a negative, southward-pointing interplanetary magnetic field is the key to aurora visibility.