Live Aurora Mission Control
Monitor the Northern Lights in real time using space-weather data from NOAA’s DSCOVR spacecraft. This preview shows current solar wind conditions affecting aurora activity over Scandinavia.
Aurora Telemetry
Telemetry modules read data from the live dashboard above. Values may take up to 30–60 seconds to appear after page load.
Aurora Energy Meter
Luleå Aurora Visibility
Magnetic Coupling (Bz)
Aurora Surge Detector
Detects rapid changes in the solar wind magnetic field that often precede strong aurora. Data may take up to 30–60 seconds to initialise after page load.
How the Aurora Surge Detector Works
The Aurora Surge Detector monitors real-time space weather conditions measured by NASA and NOAA spacecraft positioned upstream of Earth in the solar wind. These satellites observe the solar wind before it reaches Earth’s magnetosphere, allowing short-term predictions of auroral activity.
Magnetic Field Orientation (Bz)
The Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field controls how easily solar energy can enter Earth's magnetosphere. When Bz turns southward, magnetic reconnection occurs and charged particles can flow into the polar atmosphere, producing the Aurora Borealis.
Solar Wind Speed
Faster solar wind streams deliver more energy into Earth’s magnetic environment. When solar wind speeds exceed roughly 500 km/s, auroral activity often becomes significantly stronger.
Rapid Magnetic Field Changes
Sudden drops in the Bz magnetic field often precede auroral substorms. These events can cause the aurora to suddenly brighten and expand across northern Scandinavia.
When several of these signals occur together, the magnetosphere begins storing large amounts of energy from the solar wind. This stored energy can then be released suddenly, producing intense auroral displays across the high-latitude regions of Earth. Because Luleå in Swedish Lapland lies directly beneath the statistical auroral oval, these surges frequently lead to visible aurora across northern Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
The surge detector therefore acts as an early warning system for potential auroral activity within the next 10–30 minutes.
Can You See Aurora Right Now in Luleå?
This indicator combines real-time space weather conditions, cloud cover and darkness to estimate whether the Aurora Borealis may currently be visible from Luleå in Swedish Lapland. Data may take up to 30–60 seconds to initialise after page load.
Moon Planner
Select a date to explore the Moon phase, illumination, lunar age and observing conditions for aurora viewing in Luleå.
Selected Moon
Select Date
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- Temperature
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