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React Aurora Shaders

React aurora effect with GPU northern lights. Flowing aurora shaders for Next.js with TypeScript and shadcn/ui—free code.

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Need realistic aurora effects without video files? Most developers use static gradients or heavy animations that look artificial. This React aurora component uses GPU fragment shaders to generate flowing northern lights with fractal noise and natural color transitions.

Copy-paste TypeScript component that creates authentic aurora borealis with flowing bands and atmospheric colors. Fractal noise generates organic movement patterns. Built for Next.js applications with shadcn/ui design system. GPU-accelerated—zero video assets needed.

React aurora effects with GPU shaders

Flowing northern lights with fractal noise patterns and authentic atmospheric colors:

Loading component...

Original shader by Dov Azencot

Perfect for React 19, Next.js 15, and modern TypeScript projects. Aurora patterns rendered entirely on GPU using GLSL fragment shaders with fractal noise generation. Customizable speed, intensity, vibrancy, and wave frequency. Full shadcn/ui compatibility with Tailwind CSS styling.

Installation

npx shadcn@latest add https://www.shadcn.io/registry/aurora-shaders.json
npx shadcn@latest add https://www.shadcn.io/registry/aurora-shaders.json
pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add https://www.shadcn.io/registry/aurora-shaders.json
bunx shadcn@latest add https://www.shadcn.io/registry/aurora-shaders.json

Usage

import { AuroraShaders } from "@/components/ui/aurora-shaders";

export default function AtmosphericBackground() {
  return (
    <AuroraShaders
      speed={0.8}
      intensity={1.2}
      vibrancy={1.1}
      frequency={1.0}
      stretch={1.5}
    >
      <div className="relative z-10">
        <h1>Content over aurora</h1>
      </div>
    </AuroraShaders>
  );
}

Why aurora animations struggle with realism

CSS gradients can't simulate atmospheric light flow. Video backgrounds are massive files and loop obviously. Most libraries use simple color transitions that lack the organic complexity of real northern lights.

GPU fragment shaders solve this with fractal noise generation. Multiple noise octaves create natural aurora movement. Vertical positioning with wave distortion mimics atmospheric physics. Color zones transition naturally like real auroras.

This React aurora component uses GLSL mathematics for authentic atmospheric effects. Fractal Brownian Motion creates organic flow patterns. Multiple aurora layers with different characteristics. Natural color transitions from green to blue to purple.

React aurora shader features

  • Fractal noise patterns - Multiple octaves create organic aurora movement and complexity
  • Authentic color zones - Green, blue, purple, cyan transitions like real northern lights
  • Wave distortion - Sine wave movement simulates atmospheric turbulence
  • Multi-layer rendering - Three aurora layers with different characteristics and timing
  • Vertical positioning - Bands positioned like real aurora at atmospheric levels
  • Atmospheric stars - Subtle star field appears in dark areas for realism
  • Horizon glow effects - Atmospheric lighting enhances aurora base appearance
  • Vibrancy control - Adjust color saturation from subtle to vivid displays
  • TypeScript React component - Full IDE support with prop definitions
  • Next.js compatible - Works with App Router and modern React patterns
  • shadcn/ui integration - Consistent with Tailwind CSS design systems
  • Copy-paste installation - No vendor lock-in, you own the shader code
  • Zero video assets - Pure mathematical generation, no bundle bloat

API Reference

AuroraShaders

Main container component for the flowing aurora shader effect.

PropTypeDefaultDescription
speednumber1.0Aurora wave movement speed (0.1 to 2.0)
intensitynumber1.0Light brightness and visibility (0.5 to 2.0)
vibrancynumber1.0Color saturation level (0.0 to 2.0)
frequencynumber1.0Wave frequency and detail (0.5 to 2.0)
stretchnumber1.0Vertical band stretch (0.5 to 3.0)
classNamestring-Additional Tailwind CSS classes
...propsHTMLAttributes<HTMLDivElement>-All standard div props

GPU aurora troubleshooting

Aurora too faint: Increase intensity to 1.5+ for more visible northern lights. Fractal generation creates subtle effects by default for atmospheric realism.

Movement too slow/fast: Adjust speed for authentic aurora timing. 0.5 creates slow, meditative flow. 1.5+ creates more dynamic, active aurora displays.

Colors too muted: Boost vibrancy to 1.5 for vivid aurora colors. Lower to 0.7 for subtle, realistic atmospheric effects perfect for backgrounds.

Mobile performance issues: GPU-intensive fractal generation needs optimization. Lower frequency to 0.8 and intensity to 1.0 on mobile devices for smoother performance.

Bands too narrow/wide: Use stretch to control aurora band height. 0.5 creates thin, delicate bands. 2.0+ creates wide, dramatic aurora curtains filling more vertical space.

Pattern too simple/complex: Adjust frequency to control fractal detail. 0.7 creates smooth, flowing patterns. 1.5+ creates highly detailed, complex aurora structures.

GPU compatibility: Fractal noise requires decent GPU for multiple noise octaves. Provide CSS gradient aurora fallbacks for older devices with limited processing power.

More React shader components

Explore other GPU-accelerated shader components for Next.js applications:

React aurora effect FAQ