Comparison guide
Aurora Tonight vs SpaceWeatherLive
Both are legitimate tools built on the same NOAA data - one serves data enthusiasts who want raw solar wind numbers, the other serves travellers who want a clear local forecast for tonight.
What each tool does
SpaceWeatherLive has been running since around 2010 and has earned its authority. It shows real-time solar wind data from the DSCOVR satellite - Bz, speed, density, the Dst index, proton flux - with live charts that update every few minutes. There is an extensive historical Kp archive, active community forums, and satellite imagery. It is the tool of choice for space weather enthusiasts who want to understand what is happening at the Sun, not just whether the aurora will be visible tonight.
Aurora Tonight takes a different approach. Each of the 400+ location pages shows a location-specific Kp threshold, real-time cloud cover for that town or city, the nearest dark sky sites with Bortle class ratings and drive time, and a 7-day outlook. Push notifications work from any browser without an app download. The trip planner draws on 15 years of historical aurora data per location to recommend minimum stay lengths and the best months to visit. The sites serve different users with different questions.
Feature comparison
~ = partial support. AT = Aurora Tonight. SWL = SpaceWeatherLive.
Where SpaceWeatherLive excels
- + Authority and community - a long track record with an active forum where experienced enthusiasts discuss events in real time.
- + Raw solar wind data in one place - Bz, Dst, proton flux, and speed on a single page with historical charts going back years.
- + Historical Kp archive - useful for research, writing, or understanding how a past event developed.
- + Suited to data researchers and space weather enthusiasts who want numbers and context rather than a go/no-go answer.
Where Aurora Tonight excels
- + Cloud cover per location - specific towns and cities, not just a national or regional summary.
- + Dark sky spots with Bortle class ratings and drive time from each location, so you know exactly where to go.
- + Push notifications that work in any modern browser on Android and desktop - no app download required.
- + Trip planner using 15 years of Kp history per location, giving minimum stay recommendations and the best months by activity frequency.
- + Photography guides per destination covering camera settings, composition, and timing advice.
Which should you use?
Use SpaceWeatherLive if...
You want raw solar wind data, a Kp history going back years, or access to a community forum for discussing space weather events. It is also the better choice if you are researching aurora activity for academic or professional purposes.
Use Aurora Tonight if...
You want a location-specific forecast with cloud cover, dark sky site recommendations nearby, and a clear go/no-go answer for tonight. The trip planner and push notifications make it the more practical tool for anyone planning an aurora trip or monitoring from a specific place.
Related pages
What Is the Kp Index?
How Kp is measured and what it means for aurora visibility.
Northern Lights Alert
How to set up push notifications for aurora activity.
How to Plan a Northern Lights Trip
Using forecast data to plan the right trip at the right time.
Best Aurora Forecast Websites
All the main aurora forecast tools compared and rated.
Common questions
Questions about Aurora Tonight, SpaceWeatherLive, and how they compare.
Is SpaceWeatherLive accurate?
Does Aurora Tonight have solar wind data?
Can I use both?
Is SpaceWeatherLive free?
Sean Barraclough
Creator of Aurora Tonight
