Current lunar phase with NASA imagery — updated with your local time.
The darkest nights this month (lowest moon illumination) — ideal for aurora chasing.
The moon is the single biggest source of natural light pollution for aurora watchers. A full moon floods the sky with reflected sunlight, washing out all but the strongest aurora displays. Even at Kp 5 and above, the faint greens and subtle purple rays that make the aurora magical can disappear into the moonlit sky.
The best aurora viewing happens during the new moon and crescent phases, when the sky is at its darkest. During these phases, your eyes are fully dark-adapted and even faint Kp 3 aurora can put on a visible show from high-latitude locations.
When the moon is bright, experienced aurora chasers use a simple trick: keep the moon behind you or wait until it sets. Check the moonrise and moonset times above to plan the darkest window of the night. Combining this with Solar Ruler's live aurora forecast gives you the best possible chance of catching the lights.