Northern lights in Maine are rare: this far south they need a strong geomagnetic storm of Kp 7 or more. AuroraMe tracks one location in Maine: Bangor.
Cities Covered
1
Magnetic Latitude Range
51.9°–51.9° MLAT
Required Kp Index
Kp 7.0–7.0
Unlikely
Best chance in Maine tonight: Bangor
AuroraMe watches Kp, clouds and darkness windows so you know when to go outside.
Kp Requirements by Location
Bangor
51.9° MLAT
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Best Dark Sky Viewing Locations
Interactive map showing dark sky preserves and Bortle class sites in Maine. Click markers for details and directions.
Bortle 3
Acadia National Park
Coastal dark sky viewing
160mi from portland280mi from boston
Route 3 to Mount Desert Island
Bortle 2
Baxter State Park
Maine's darkest skies around Mt. Katahdin
240mi from portland85mi from bangor
Millinocket entrance, seasonal
Aurora Status by City
Best Viewing Season in Maine
Geographic Advantages
Mean astronomical darkness at Bangor, Dec–Feb 10.3–11.6 hours
Dark Sky Sites 2 Bortle 1-3
Peak Aurora Months
Estimates for Bangor
September 0.38 clear nights, 53.1% cloud
October 0.35 clear nights, 61.6% cloud
November 0.31 clear nights, 66% cloud
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in Maine?
Yes, Maine offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like Bangor (MLAT 51.9°) can see aurora at Kp 7.0+, while southern locations need Kp 7.0+. Best viewing is September–April during dark, clear nights.
Where are the darkest skies in Maine?
The darkest locations include Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park with Bortle class 2–3. These sites offer minimal light pollution for optimal aurora photography.
Learn More About the Northern Lights
Use the aurora borealis forecast, check northern lights tonight, or open the live aurora map and Kp tracker.
