To see the Northern Lights, you generally want to look toward the northern part of the sky, with the exact direction depending on your location and current solar activity. What to know before you go

• Best direction: In most northern-hemisphere locations, the aurora commonly appears in the northern half of the sky, often toward the north or northwest. When activity is strong, auroral curtains can extend toward the east or even overhead. [web results compiled from aurora guides]
• Key factors: Clear dark skies, high latitude (inside the auroral oval, roughly 60–75° N/S), and recent solar activity (geomagnetic storms). A good plan is to face north unless forecasts indicate activity toward the east or west, in which case adjust accordingly. [web results compiled from aurora guides]
• Practical tips: Find an unobstructed view to the north (and sometimes slightly to the north-west or north-east), avoid light-polluted areas, and keep warm. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, look toward the south. [web results compiled from aurora guides]

If you share your approximate location (city or region) and whether you’re viewing during a period of predicted high solar activity, I can give a more precise mild/strong activity directive on which part of the sky to watch.