Northern lights in Amiens tonight

Real-time aurora forecast for Amiens (Hauts-de-France) - latitude 49.89° N, estimated Kp threshold 7.6.

Kp index

6.3

moderate

Hemispheric power

North36GW

South38GW

Source: app.pulsar-si.com

Tonight in Amiens

Very unlikely

Based on Kp 6.3 and Amiens's latitude.

Seeing the northern lights from Amiens

Amiens, at 49.9° N, enjoys one of the most northerly latitudes among major continental French cities. Auroras become visible from Kp 6. The flat Picardy countryside offers a particularly open northern horizon over the Somme bay and the Flemish plains. May 2024 was spectacular here, with Amiens cathedral lit red in the background of many shots.

Observation conditions in Amiens

Bortle 7 over Amiens. The Somme bay (Bortle 4, 70 km west) and the Picardy plateau (Bortle 5, 30 km north) offer clear skies. The Saint-Quentin Isle marsh and the Crécy forest are other options. The continental climate gives clear nights in autumn and winter, with frosts that aid transparency.

Recent auroras from Amiens

10-11 May 2024 (Kp 9): exceptional naked-eye aurora, photographed with Amiens cathedral. 5 November 2023 (Kp 7): observations from the Somme bay. 27 February 2023 (Kp 6): rural Picardy sightings.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see the northern lights from Amiens?

Yes, but rarely. Typically a Kp index of ≥ 7.6 is needed for the aurora to become visible from Amiens (latitude 49.9° N). Major geomagnetic storms (Kp 8-9) that reach this latitude happen only a handful of times per 11-year solar cycle.

What Kp index is needed to see auroras from Amiens?

The approximate Kp threshold for Amiens is 7.6. Below that, auroras stay confined to high latitudes (Norway, Scotland). Above it, they gradually extend southward. A Kp of 8.6 gives a fair chance, 9.6 a strong one.

When is the best time to watch from Amiens?

Auroras are a nighttime phenomenon, best observed between roughly 10 PM and 2 AM local time, when the geomagnetic pole is tilted towards the Earth's night side. In practice, peaks depend on when a coronal mass ejection arrives - activity can spike at any hour.

Where around Amiens offers better conditions?

Move at least 40-60 km north of Amiens to escape urban light pollution and gain 1-2 magnitudes of limiting magnitude.

Northern lights in Amiens tonight

Seeing the northern lights from Amiens

Observation conditions in Amiens

Recent auroras from Amiens

Local conditions

Frequently asked questions

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