# NOAA Space Weather MCP

> NOAA Space Weather — Solar & Geomagnetic Intelligence gives you real-time metrics on Earth's magnetic field and solar activity. It provides the planetary Kp index, Dst storm intensity, 3-day Kp forecasts, solar wind speed, and aurora probability maps from NOAA’s official feeds.

## Overview
- **Category:** the-unthinkable
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** space-weather, geomagnetic-index, solar-wind, aurora-forecast, satellite-data

## Description

Listen up. This server pulls live space weather data straight from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. You don't gotta guess what's happening out in the magnetosphere—you check it.

We expose six tools covering everything you need to know about solar and geomagnetic activity. **`get_planetary_k_index`** gives you the current NOAA Planetary K-index (0 through 9), which is your primary measure for immediate geomagnetic action and how likely an aurora's gonna be. To check the actual storm intensity, use **`get_dst_index`**; it provides a real-time measurement of the Dst index, critical when you're monitoring ring current effects around Earth.

For predicting future activity, you can run **`get_k_index_forecast`**. This tool delivers the 3-day Kp index forecast, letting you plan for how severe upcoming geomagnetic storms will be and giving you a heads-up on aurora visibility. You also need to know what's driving this whole mess; use **`get_solar_wind`** for real-time metrics covering solar wind speed (in km/s) and the magnetic field strength (**Bz**), which are the key drivers of space weather changes.

To understand the sun's output, run **`get_solar_flux`**. This retrieves the 10.7cm solar radio flux index, acting as a direct proxy for current sunspot activity and overall energy output from the star itself. When you combine that with the wind data, you can generate a global probability map for auroras using **`get_aurora_forecast`**, which runs NOAA's Ovation model based on the solar wind metrics.

Basically, this server gives you the full picture: You check immediate geomagnetic status with the K-index and Dst index. You track the sun’s energy output with the 10.7cm flux index and get real-time speed/magnetic field data from the solar wind. You map out what's coming next by checking the 3-day Kp forecast, and you predict where the lights are gonna show up on the night sky using the aurora probability maps.

If your operation depends on reliable radio comms or if you're running sensitive equipment above ground, this is essential. You get metrics that tell you exactly how active the magnetosphere is right now, what it’ll be in three days, and where to look for a killer show when the curtain lifts.

## Tools

### get_planetary_k_index
Gets the current NOAA Planetary K-index (0-9), which is the primary measure of immediate geomagnetic activity and aurora chance.

### get_k_index_forecast
Delivers the 3-day Kp index forecast, helping predict when and how severe upcoming geomagnetic activity will be.

### get_solar_wind
Gets real-time metrics on solar wind speed (km/s) and the magnetic field strength (Bz), which drives space weather changes.

### get_aurora_forecast
Gets the probability map for auroras using NOAA's Ovation model, based on solar wind data.

### get_solar_flux
Retrieves the 10.7cm solar radio flux index, acting as a direct proxy for current sunspot activity and overall solar energy output.

### get_dst_index
Provides a real-time measurement of geomagnetic storm intensity (Dst index), critical for monitoring ring current effects.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
Can I see the aurora tonight?
```

**Response:** 
```
🌌 **Aurora Probability Tonight**

Current Kp: 4 (Active)
Forecast: Kp 5 (Minor Storm) expected 9pm-midnight
Solar Wind: 520 km/s (elevated)
Bz: -6 nT (southward — favorable!)

✅ Aurora likely visible from:
- Northern US states (WA, MT, MN, WI, MI, NY, ME)
- Southern Canada
- Northern Europe

❌ Not visible from: Southern US, tropics
```

**Prompt:** 
```
What is the current solar wind status?
```

**Response:** 
```
☀️ **Solar Wind (Real-Time)**

Speed: 485 km/s (moderate)
Bz: -3.2 nT (slightly southward)
Bt: 7.8 nT
Density: 4.2 p/cm³

Solar Flux (F10.7): 148 SFU (above average)
Dst: -28 nT (quiet)

⚡ Conditions: mildly disturbed. HF radio propagation good. No significant storm expected in next 24h.
```

## Capabilities

### Forecast Geomagnetic Activity
Runs the 3-day Kp index forecast to plan for predicted geomagnetic storms and aurora visibility.

### Check Storm Intensity
Retrieves the Dst index, which measures the current strength of ring current geomagnetic storms around Earth.

### Get Aurora Probability Maps
Uses the Ovation model to generate a global probability map showing where auroras are likely tonight.

### Monitor Solar Wind Conditions
Provides real-time metrics on solar wind speed and its magnetic field (Bz), key drivers of space weather events.

### Track Solar Output Proxy
Retrieves the 10.7cm solar flux index, a historical proxy for overall solar activity levels and flare risk.

## Use Cases

### Planning a Polar Satellite Pass
A satellite operator needs to know if an upcoming pass over the poles is safe. They ask their agent to run `get_planetary_k_index` and `get_solar_wind`. The agent checks that current solar wind speed isn't spiking and that the Kp index won't hit a critical level during the pass, letting them reschedule if necessary.

### Pre-flight Radio Check
An HF radio engineer needs to verify optimal conditions for a long-distance test. They run `get_planetary_k_index` and examine the forecast using `get_k_index_forecast`. If they see low predicted Kp scores, they know to delay the transmission until geomagnetic activity increases.

### Analyzing Solar Cycle Health
A space research team needs historical context. They use `get_solar_flux` to gauge overall solar energy output against known flare cycles and correlate that data point with past Dst index readings for a full risk profile.

### Checking Immediate Storm Risk
A power grid manager is alerted by an unusual reading. They immediately ask the agent to run `get_dst_index` and compare it against historical thresholds, confirming if the current ring current intensity warrants immediate load shedding protocols.

## Benefits

- Predict Storms: Use `get_k_index_forecast` to plan weeks ahead. You know when the next geomagnetic event is hitting, allowing time for mission adjustments.
- Assess Immediate Risk: Run `get_planetary_k_index` right now. This tells you if conditions are active (Kp ≥ 5), giving instant operational status.
- Map Aurora Chances: Check `get_aurora_forecast`. You get a global probability map, so you don't waste time hunting when the skies are clear.
- Measure Storm Strength: The `get_dst_index` is non-negotiable. It quantifies storm severity (e.g., -100 nT for strong) so you can budget contingency plans.
- Track Drivers: By using `get_solar_wind`, your agent sees the physical forces—speed and southward Bz—that actually cause the storms, giving deep insight beyond just a number.

## How It Works

The bottom line is: you get clean, verifiable, real-time space weather data from NOAA, ready for your agent to use immediately.

1. Call a specific tool like `get_planetary_k_index` to request the current geomagnetic status.
2. The server connects to NOAA's APIs, retrieves the latest data points (e.g., Kp score, Dst value, solar wind speed), and processes them.
3. Your AI client gets a structured payload containing actionable metrics—not just raw numbers.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I check if an aurora is visible using get_aurora_forecast?**
The `get_aurora_forecast` tool provides a global probability map based on the Ovation model. It doesn't guarantee visibility, but it tells you the likelihood by calculating how favorable the current solar wind conditions are for light show activity.

**Is get_dst_index better than get_planetary_k_index?**
They measure different things. The Kp index is a generalized score (0-9) of geomagnetic activity, while the Dst index measures the actual strength and depth of ring current storms around Earth in nanoTesla (nT). Use both for full context.

**What data do I need to predict storm risk?**
To assess comprehensive storm risk, you must combine `get_solar_wind` metrics—specifically speed and the southward Bz component—with the output of `get_k_index_forecast`. The solar wind is the cause; the Kp forecast is the effect.

**Can I use get_solar_flux for anything other than aurora planning?**
Yes. `get_solar_flux` gives you a proxy for overall sunspot activity and solar energy output, helping you determine if current conditions are trending toward a period of high flare risk or low background activity.

**How frequently does get_planetary_k_index update its data?**
The K-index updates every three hours. This schedule is set by NOAA, so don't expect real-time streaming updates; you'll need to poll the endpoint for the latest reading.

**What units are used when I call get_dst_index?**
The Dst index returns values in nanoTesla (nT). This measurement quantifies the intensity of the ring current, which is crucial for calculating storm severity.

**Does get_k_index_forecast cover specific geographic locations or just global estimates?**
The forecast provides predicted geomagnetic activity generally. While you should always cross-reference results with your local location's operational needs, the index itself is a broad measure of planetary magnetic field changes.

**If I get an error when running get_solar_wind, what does that mean?**
An error usually points to temporary service disruption. If you hit an issue, wait five minutes and try the call again; excessive calls can also trigger rate limits.

**What Kp level is needed to see aurora?**
Kp ≥ 5: visible from northern US/southern Canada. Kp ≥ 7: visible from mid-latitudes (40°N). Kp = 9: rare — aurora visible from southern US/Europe. Check the Ovation model for precise probability at your location.