Data Sources & API Documentation

Complete documentation of all data sources, APIs, and scientific references powering Northern Lights Alaska

Primary Data Source

All real-time space weather data is sourced from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the United States' official source for space weather forecasts, warnings, watches, and alerts. The SWPC operates 24/7, monitoring the Sun and space environment to provide critical information about space weather conditions that can affect satellite operations, power grids, navigation systems, and radio communications.

The SWPC collects data from a global network of ground-based observatories, space-based satellites (including ACE, DSCOVR, GOES, and SOHO), and international space weather monitoring stations. This comprehensive data collection enables accurate forecasting of geomagnetic storms, solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and auroral activity—all essential for understanding and predicting aurora visibility in Alaska and other high-latitude regions.

Northern Lights Alaska integrates multiple SWPC data streams in real-time, processing measurements from spacecraft positioned at the L1 Lagrange point (approximately 1.5 million kilometers sunward from Earth), which provides approximately 15-60 minutes of advance warning for incoming solar wind disturbances. This early warning capability is crucial for accurate aurora forecasting.

Update Frequency: Every 60 seconds for real-time endpoints, hourly for forecast products, daily for historical datasets

Data Latency: Typically 1-5 minutes from measurement to API availability, depending on endpoint

JSON API Base URL: https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/json/

Products API Base URL: https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/products/

Data Format: JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) with ISO 8601 timestamps

Rate Limiting: No official rate limits, but respectful usage recommended (requests spaced at least 1 second apart)

CORS Policy: Cross-origin requests enabled for public API access

Data Availability: Real-time data available 24/7; historical data extends back to 1932 for some indices

Data Quality & Reliability

All SWPC data undergoes automated quality control checks before publication. Real-time data may occasionally contain gaps during spacecraft handoffs or maintenance periods. Historical data is validated and corrected as needed. Users should implement appropriate error handling and data validation when consuming these APIs.

Base URL: https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/json/

Planetary K-Index (1-minute)

planetary_k_index_1m.json

Real-time 1-minute resolution Kp index data

Used for: Real-time space weather conditions, current Kp display

View JSON

Real-Time Solar Wind - Magnetic Field

rtsw/rtsw_mag_1m.json

Interplanetary magnetic field (Bt, Bz) measurements

Used for: IMF Charts (Bt, Bz), Solar Wind Conditions

View JSON

Real-Time Solar Wind - Wind

rtsw/rtsw_wind_1m.json

Solar wind density and speed measurements

Used for: Solar Wind Density Chart, Solar Wind Speed

View JSON

F10.7 cm Radio Flux

f107_cm_flux.json

10.7 cm solar radio flux measurements

Used for: Solar Flux display, Solar Cycle Status

View JSON

OVATION Aurora Model

ovation_aurora_latest.json

Aurora probability and energy deposition forecasts

Used for: OVATION Alaska Aurora Data, Aurora Probability Maps

View JSON

Geospace DST Index (1-hour)

geospace/geospace_dst_1_hour.json

Disturbance Storm Time (DST) index for geomagnetic activity

Used for: DST Index Chart, Historical Data

View JSON

Solar Flare Probabilities

solar_probabilities.json

Probability forecasts for X-ray flares (M-class and X-class)

Used for: Solar Flare Probabilities section

View JSON

Predicted F10.7 cm Flux

predicted_f107cm_flux.json

Forecasted 10.7 cm radio flux values for 27-day and 45-day outlook periods

Used for: Solar Flux Forecast Chart, Long-term solar activity predictions

View JSON

Real-Time Solar Wind - Plasma

rtsw/rtsw_plasma_1m.json

Solar wind plasma parameters including temperature and flow direction

Used for: Advanced solar wind analysis, plasma temperature monitoring

View JSON

Geospace AE Index (1-hour)

geospace/geospace_ae_1_hour.json

Auroral Electrojet (AE) index measuring auroral zone magnetic activity

Used for: Auroral activity intensity, substorm detection and monitoring

View JSON

Geospace AP Index (1-hour)

geospace/geospace_ap_1_hour.json

Planetary amplitude (Ap) index, linearized version of Kp for quantitative analysis

Used for: Geomagnetic activity quantification, statistical analysis

View JSON

Solar X-Ray Flux (5-minute)

solar_xray_flux_5m.json

High-resolution X-ray flux measurements for solar flare detection

Used for: Real-time flare monitoring, X-ray flux charts, flare classification

View JSON

Solar X-Ray Flux (1-minute)

solar_xray_flux_1m.json

Ultra-high resolution X-ray flux for precise flare timing and intensity

Used for: Detailed flare analysis, peak flux determination, rapid flare alerts

View JSON

Solar Region Summary

solar_region_summary.json

Active solar regions with magnetic classifications and flare probabilities

Used for: Sunspot monitoring, active region tracking, flare source identification

View JSON

Geospace Magnetometer (1-minute)

geospace/geospace_magnetometer_1m.json

Ground-based magnetometer measurements from multiple observatories

Used for: Local geomagnetic conditions, observatory-specific data, regional variations

View JSON

Geospace Magnetometer (5-minute)

geospace/geospace_magnetometer_5m.json

Lower resolution magnetometer data for historical analysis and trending

Used for: Long-term trend analysis, reduced data volume applications

View JSON

JSON API Usage Notes

  • All timestamps are in ISO 8601 format (UTC timezone)
  • Data arrays are typically ordered chronologically, with most recent entries last
  • Missing or invalid data points may be represented as null values
  • Some endpoints include metadata fields describing units, ranges, and data quality flags
  • Historical data endpoints may have variable update frequencies (hourly, daily)
  • Real-time endpoints (1-minute resolution) update approximately every 60 seconds
  • For production applications, implement appropriate caching and error handling
  • Monitor SWPC status pages for scheduled maintenance or data outages

Base URL: https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/products/

Space Weather Alerts

alerts.json

Active space weather watches, warnings, and alerts

Used for: Space Weather Alerts display, Active Alerts modal

View JSON

NOAA Space Weather Scales

noaa-scales.json

Current G-scale, R-scale, and S-scale values

Used for: NOAA Scales display (Radio Blackouts, Solar Radiation, Geomagnetic Storms)

View JSON

Planetary K-Index Forecast

noaa-planetary-k-index-forecast.json

3-day Kp index forecast values

Used for: 3-Day Forecast section, Kp Forecast display

View JSON

Planetary K-Index (3-hour)

noaa-planetary-k-index.json

Historical 3-hour Kp index values

Used for: Kp Index Historical Bar Chart, Kp Index Breakdown Table

View JSON

10.7 cm Flux (30-day)

10cm-flux-30-day.json

30-day historical 10.7 cm radio flux data with daily averages

Used for: 30-Day Flux historical data, Solar Cycle analysis, trend visualization

View JSON

3-Day Forecast Discussion

discussion.json

Human-written forecast discussion for next 3 days of space weather

Used for: Forecast summaries, expert analysis, contextual information

View JSON

27-Day Outlook

27-day-outlook.json

Extended forecast for geomagnetic activity over next 27 days

Used for: Long-range planning, monthly activity predictions, solar rotation effects

View JSON

Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

weekly.json

Comprehensive weekly space weather summary and 7-day forecast

Used for: Weekly summaries, extended outlooks, activity highlights

View JSON

Solar Cycle Progression

solar-cycle.json

Current solar cycle phase, sunspot numbers, and cycle predictions

Used for: Solar cycle status, long-term trends, cycle maximum/minimum tracking

View JSON

Geomagnetic Activity Summary

geomag-activity-summary.json

Daily summary of geomagnetic activity levels and storm occurrences

Used for: Daily activity reports, storm event tracking, historical summaries

View JSON

Solar Event Reports

solar-events.json

Catalog of recent solar flares, CMEs, and other significant solar events

Used for: Event tracking, flare history, CME catalog, event correlation

View JSON

GOES X-Ray Flux (5-minute)

goes-xrs-report.json

GOES satellite X-ray flux measurements for solar flare monitoring

Used for: GOES flare data, X-ray flux charts, flare classification system

View JSON

Sunspot Number Report

sunspot-report.json

Daily sunspot numbers and active region counts

Used for: Solar activity tracking, sunspot cycle monitoring, active region statistics

View JSON

Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) Analysis

cme-analysis.json

CME detection, speed, direction, and Earth-impact probability

Used for: CME tracking, impact predictions, geomagnetic storm forecasting

View JSON

Geomagnetic Sudden Impulse

sudden-impulse.json

Detection and measurement of sudden geomagnetic field changes

Used for: Shock arrival detection, CME impact confirmation, sudden commencement events

View JSON

Products API Usage Notes

  • Products are typically updated on different schedules (hourly, daily, or event-driven)
  • Some products contain structured text fields (forecast discussions) in addition to numeric data
  • Alert and event products may have variable array lengths depending on current activity
  • Historical products may include data quality flags and uncertainty estimates
  • Forecast products contain both deterministic values and probabilistic information
  • Event catalogs (flares, CMEs) are cumulative and may grow over time
  • Check product metadata for update frequency and data source information
  • Some products reference external resources (images, detailed reports) via URLs

OVATION Aurora Model

The OVATION (Oval Variation, Assessment, Tracking, Intensity, and Online Nowcasting) model is used for aurora forecasting and energy deposition calculations.

Primary Reference: Newell, P. T., Sotirelis, T., & Wing, S. (2009). Diffuse, monoenergetic, and broadband aurora: The global precipitation budget. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 114(A9).

DOI: 10.1029/2009JA014326

Planetary K-Index (Kp)

The Kp index is a standardized measure of geomagnetic activity derived from multiple magnetometer stations worldwide.

Historical Reference: Bartels, J., Heck, N. H., & Johnston, H. F. (1939). The three-hour-range index measuring geomagnetic activity. Terrestrial Magnetism and Atmospheric Electricity, 44(4), 411-454.

GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Solar Wind Parameters

Real-time solar wind measurements from spacecraft at the L1 Lagrange point (ACE, DSCOVR, WIND) provide critical early warning of geomagnetic disturbances. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation, particularly the Bz component, determines the efficiency of energy transfer from the solar wind into Earth's magnetosphere.

Key Reference: Dungey, J. W. (1961). Interplanetary magnetic field and the auroral zones. Physical Review Letters, 6(2), 47-48.

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.6.47

Geomagnetic Indices and Storm Classification

The DST (Disturbance Storm Time) index measures the intensity of the ring current, which develops during geomagnetic storms. The AE (Auroral Electrojet) index quantifies auroral zone magnetic activity, directly correlating with visible aurora intensity.

Primary Reference: Sugiura, M. (1964). Hourly values of equatorial Dst for the IGY. Annals of the International Geophysical Year, 35, 9-45.

AE Index Reference: Davis, T. N., & Sugiura, M. (1966). Auroral electrojet activity index AE and its universal time variations. Journal of Geophysical Research, 71(3), 785-801.

DOI: 10.1029/JZ071i003p00785

Solar Flare Classification and X-Ray Flux

Solar flares are classified by their X-ray peak flux using GOES satellite measurements. The classification system (A, B, C, M, X) with numeric multipliers provides a standardized way to quantify flare intensity and potential impact on Earth's space environment.

Classification System: Bornmann, P. L., et al. (1996). GOES X-ray sensor and its use in predicting solar-terrestrial disturbances. Space Weather, 1, 231-252.

DOI: 10.1029/93SW02259

Coronal Mass Ejections and Space Weather

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona. When directed toward Earth, CMEs can cause severe geomagnetic storms and enhanced auroral displays. The speed, direction, and magnetic field orientation of CMEs determine their geoeffectiveness.

Foundational Reference: Gosling, J. T. (1993). The solar flare myth. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 98(A11), 18937-18949.

DOI: 10.1029/93JA01896

Aurora Physics and Precipitation Mechanisms

Auroral emissions result from collisions between energetic electrons (and protons) precipitating from the magnetosphere and atmospheric atoms and molecules. The characteristic colors (green from atomic oxygen at 557.7 nm, red from atomic oxygen at 630.0 nm, blue/purple from molecular nitrogen) provide information about the energy and altitude of precipitation.

Comprehensive Reference: Rees, M. H., & Luckey, D. (1974). Auroral electron energy derived from ratio of spectroscopic emissions 1. Model computations. Journal of Geophysical Research, 79(34), 5181-5186.

DOI: 10.1029/JA079i034p05181

Solar Cycle and Long-Term Variability

The 11-year solar cycle (approximately 22 years including magnetic field reversals) drives long-term variations in space weather and auroral activity. During solar maximum, increased sunspot numbers, flare frequency, and CME occurrence lead to more frequent and intense auroral displays at lower latitudes.

Historical Reference: Schwabe, H. (1844). Sonnenbeobachtungen im Jahre 1843. Astronomische Nachrichten, 21(495), 233-236.

Modern Analysis: Hathaway, D. H. (2015). The solar cycle. Living Reviews in Solar Physics, 12(1), 4.

DOI: 10.1007/lrsp-2015-4

F10.7 cm Radio Flux and Solar Activity

The 10.7 cm (2800 MHz) solar radio flux is a proxy for solar EUV (extreme ultraviolet) radiation, which ionizes Earth's upper atmosphere. This index correlates well with sunspot numbers and provides a continuous measure of solar activity even when sunspots are not visible.

Original Reference: Covington, A. E. (1948). Solar noise observations on 10.7 centimetres. Proceedings of the IRE, 36(7), 855-860.

DOI: 10.1109/JRPROC.1948.231624

Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling

The interaction between Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere drives auroral processes. Field-aligned currents connect the magnetosphere to the ionosphere, transferring energy and momentum. This coupling is essential for understanding how solar wind conditions translate into visible aurora.

Key Reference: Cowley, S. W. H. (2000). Magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions: A tutorial review. In Magnetospheric Current Systems (pp. 91-106). American Geophysical Union.

DOI: 10.1029/GM118p0091

Additional Reading & Resources

  • For comprehensive space weather science, see the Space Weather journal published by AGU
  • The International Space Environment Service (ISES) coordinates global space weather monitoring
  • NOAA SWPC provides educational resources on space weather fundamentals
  • NASA's Space Weather Research Center offers detailed explanations of space weather phenomena
  • Many universities with space physics programs maintain public educational resources
  • Historical space weather data archives are available through NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Data Fetching & Caching Strategy

Northern Lights Alaska implements a multi-layer caching strategy to ensure fast response times while maintaining data freshness. Real-time endpoints are fetched every 60 seconds, with intelligent error handling and fallback mechanisms. Historical data is cached more aggressively to reduce API load.

  • Real-time data: 60-second fetch interval with 30-second cache TTL
  • Forecast data: 5-minute fetch interval with 3-minute cache TTL
  • Historical data: Daily fetch with 24-hour cache TTL
  • Error handling: Exponential backoff retry logic with maximum 3 attempts
  • Offline support: Service Worker caching for critical data during network outages

Data Validation & Quality Control

All incoming data undergoes validation checks to ensure accuracy and reliability. Out-of-range values, missing timestamps, and malformed JSON are detected and handled gracefully. Data quality flags from NOAA are respected and displayed to users when available.

  • Range validation for all numeric values (Kp: 0-9, DST: -500 to +100 nT, etc.)
  • Timestamp validation and chronological ordering checks
  • Null value detection and interpolation for minor gaps
  • Data freshness verification (warnings if data is stale)
  • Schema validation against expected JSON structure

Chart Rendering & Visualization

All charts are rendered using Chart.js 4.x with responsive design principles. Data is preprocessed to optimize rendering performance, with downsampling applied to very large historical datasets. Color schemes follow WCAG accessibility guidelines and are sourced from the SpeciesColors service.

  • Chart.js 4.x with responsive canvas rendering
  • Automatic data downsampling for datasets exceeding 1000 points
  • Shared tooltip synchronization across related charts
  • Accessible color palettes with sufficient contrast ratios
  • Mobile-optimized chart sizing and touch interactions
  • Lazy loading for charts not immediately visible

Performance Optimization

The application is optimized for fast loading and smooth interactions, even on slower network connections. Code splitting, asset optimization, and efficient data structures ensure sub-2-second load times on 3G networks.

  • CDN-hosted libraries (Alpine.js, Tailwind CSS, Chart.js) for fast delivery
  • Minimal JavaScript footprint (~100KB total)
  • Efficient data structures (Map/Set for O(1) lookups)
  • Debounced user interactions to prevent excessive API calls
  • Progressive enhancement for core functionality
  • Service Worker for offline capability and asset caching

Data Transformation & Calculations

Raw NOAA data is transformed into user-friendly formats with appropriate units and scales. Derived metrics (such as aurora probability from Kp index) are calculated using established scientific relationships. All calculations are documented and traceable to source data.

  • Unit conversions (nT to appropriate scales, flux units standardization)
  • Time zone conversions (UTC to local Alaska time)
  • Statistical aggregations (hourly/daily averages from minute data)
  • Derived indices (aurora probability, activity levels from Kp/DST)
  • Data normalization for multi-year comparisons
  • Interpolation for minor data gaps (linear interpolation for <5 minute gaps)

Error Handling & User Feedback

Comprehensive error handling ensures the application remains functional even when data sources are temporarily unavailable. Users receive clear, non-technical feedback about data status, with detailed error information available in developer console for debugging.

  • Network error detection with user-friendly messages
  • Graceful degradation when optional data is unavailable
  • Loading states and progress indicators for data fetches
  • Data freshness indicators (last updated timestamps)
  • Warning messages for stale or potentially inaccurate data
  • Retry mechanisms with exponential backoff

The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (Potsdam, Germany) is the official provider of the planetary Kp Index, which is calculated using data from 13 geomagnetic observatories strategically located around the world. The Kp index was introduced by J. Bartels in 1949 and is derived from the standardized K index (Ks) of these observatories. It measures solar particle radiation by its magnetic effects and is considered a proxy for the energy input from the solar wind to Earth.

GFZ also provides the Hp30 and Hp60 indices, which are high-resolution geomagnetic activity indices derived from 30-minute and 60-minute data, respectively. These indices provide more detailed temporal resolution than the traditional 3-hourly Kp index, making them valuable for understanding short-term geomagnetic variations.

Kp Index Data: Available since 1932, updated every 3 hours

Hp30/Hp60 Data: High-resolution indices with 30-minute and 60-minute resolution

Data License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Official Website: kp.gfz-potsdam.de

Kp Index (Planetary)

The planetary Kp index calculated from 13 geomagnetic observatories. Updated every 3 hours since 1932.

Data Sources: 13 observatories between 44°-60° geomagnetic latitude

Hp30 & Hp60 Indices

High-resolution geomagnetic activity indices with 30-minute and 60-minute temporal resolution.

Resolution: 30-minute (Hp30) and 60-minute (Hp60) intervals

About the Kp Index

The Kp index is calculated from local K-index measurements at 13 geomagnetic observatories positioned between 44° and 60° geomagnetic latitude. Each observatory measures local K-index values (0-9 scale) every 3 hours. These measurements are standardized and normalized to account for each observatory's geomagnetic latitude, then averaged to produce the planetary Kp Index. This ensures consistent global representation regardless of local variations.

The Kp index and derived indices (ap, Ap, Cp, C9) are used to classify international Q-days (quiet days) and D-days (disturbed days). GFZ provides both definitive index values (validated and corrected) and nowcast versions (near real-time) of the indices. All data is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Additional Resources

Aurora Forecasting & Monitoring

Data Access & APIs

Educational Resources

International Space Weather Services

Real-Time Monitoring & Visualization

Data Categories

Primary Data Sources

Northern Lights Alaska integrates multiple data streams from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center to provide comprehensive aurora monitoring.

Real-Time Monitoring

Live data from ACE, DSCOVR, and GOES satellites positioned at L1 Lagrange point. Provides 15-60 minutes advance warning for solar wind disturbances.

Update: Every 60 seconds

Latency: 1-5 minutes

Forecast Products

3-day and 27-day geomagnetic forecasts, Kp index predictions, and solar wind models. Updated hourly with extended outlooks.

3-day: Short-term planning

27-day: Extended outlook

Historical Data

Archived Kp index data, geomagnetic storm records, and solar cycle information. Enables trend analysis and pattern recognition.

Archive: Decades of data

Format: JSON & CSV

API Access

Data Access Methods

All data is accessible via RESTful JSON APIs. Endpoints are organized by data type and update frequency.

JSON API

Primary access method via https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/json/. All endpoints return structured JSON data with consistent formatting.

Base URL: services.swpc.noaa.gov/json/

Format: JSON

Products API

Specialized endpoints for forecast products and alerts. Includes text bulletins, images, and structured forecast data.

Base URL: services.swpc.noaa.gov/products/

Types: Text, JSON, Images

Historical Archive

Archived data available in multiple formats. Includes daily, monthly, and yearly aggregations for analysis.

Formats: JSON, CSV, TXT

Access: FTP & HTTP

Data Quality

Reliability & Accuracy

Understanding data quality, update frequencies, and reliability helps you interpret forecasts and make informed decisions.

Update Frequency

Real-time endpoints update every 60 seconds. Forecast products update hourly. Historical data is static once archived.

Real-time: 60 seconds

Forecasts: Hourly

Data Latency

Typical latency from measurement to API availability is 1-5 minutes depending on endpoint. L1 satellite data provides early warning.

Typical: 1-5 minutes

L1 Warning: 15-60 min

Source Reliability

NOAA SWPC is the official U.S. source for space weather. Data is validated, quality-controlled, and used by critical infrastructure.

Source: Official U.S. agency

Quality: Validated & controlled