A live forecast, visualised in 3D
The map uses NOAA’s OVATION forecast of auroral location and intensity. Cosmoscope translates the forecast grid into a 3D display, with reconstructed light curtains, colour and movement. It is a visualisation of forecast activity, not live camera footage or a measurement of every individual auroral curtain.
How to explore the northern and southern lights
Open the viewer with the button above: Earth loads with Aurora switched on. Drag around the globe toward either pole on Earth’s night side and zoom to explore. The View menu shows the observation and forecast timestamps. Keep the timeline on Live for the current forecast; the display fades in daylight.
Updates and viewing conditions
Cosmoscope checks for a new NOAA forecast every five minutes while Aurora is enabled. Stale forecasts and dates outside the forecast window are hidden, with an explanation in View options. Actual visibility from the ground also depends on darkness, cloud cover and local conditions.
Data source
NOAA aurora forecast and OVATION model. Cosmoscope is an independent visualisation using public data.