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Tonight's aurora verdict — Australian Capital Territory
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Live Kp index and 24-hour forecast
Current planetary Kp
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Solar wind right now
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- Bz
- —nT (south good)
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Best aurora viewing locations in Australian Capital Territory
These dark-sky lookouts combine an unobstructed view toward the brindabella range / southern horizon with minimal light pollution. Peak viewing in Australian Capital Territory runs g3+ storms during march–september.
Mount Stromlo
Canberra — 25 min
Heritage-listed observatory site — elevated southern horizon over the Brindabella Range.
The ACT requires a planetary Kp of about 7 for clear aurora viewing and Kp 6 for photographable glow on the southern horizon. Canberra's best aurora sites combine altitude, dark skies and an open south-westerly view: Mount Stromlo, the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and the Brindabella high country between Corin Forest and Mount Franklin. The capital region's 2024–2026 solar maximum has delivered Aurora Australis visible from Lake Burley Griffin itself during the May and October 2024 G5 storms. Outside those rare events, Kp 5–6 nights typically only show camera glow from elevated southern lookouts. This page combines tonight's live Kp, the 24-hour outlook and the practical viewing thresholds for the ACT.
Kp index — what it means in Australia
The planetary Kp index runs 0–9. Higher Kp pushes the aurora further from the magnetic pole, making it visible from lower latitudes.
Kp 0–3 — Quiet
No aurora visible from mainland Australia. Possible faint glow at extreme southern Tasmania.
Kp 4 — Unsettled
Camera-only horizon glow possible from southern Tasmania.
Kp 5 (G1) — Minor storm
Visible aurora across Tasmania. Faint glow on horizon from Victoria, South Australia and far-south WA.
Kp 6 (G2) — Moderate storm
Bright aurora overhead in Tasmania. Clearly visible from VIC, SA and southern WA coasts.
Kp 7 (G3) — Strong storm
Vivid colour visible from VIC/SA/WA. Reaches as far north as Sydney and Perth.
Kp 8 (G4) — Severe storm
Aurora visible from NSW, WA and southern QLD. Once-a-year event.
Kp 9 (G5) — Extreme storm
Aurora visible from the entire continent including Brisbane and Darwin. Once-a-decade event.
Related forecasts & resources
Aurora ACT — Frequently asked questions
Live Kp, OVATION map and storm alerts from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Australian context from the Bureau of Meteorology Space Weather Services.
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