How to Forecast and Photograph a Display of the Northern Lights
At Wildscape Adventures, we specialize in helping photographers of all levels capture the breathtaking beauty of the northern lights. Whether you’re using a professional camera or a smartphone, photographing the aurora can be a magical and rewarding experience. With the right knowledge, tools, and preparation, you’ll be well on your way to photographing this spectacular natural wonder.
The Different Types of Aurora: Discrete and Diffuse
The aurora comes in two main forms: discrete auroras and diffuse auroras. Each type offers a unique visual experience and can often be seen in specific regions.
Discrete Auroras
The discrete aurora is the classic, wavy curtain of vibrant light, often seen in the bold photos of the northern lights. These auroras are vibrant and dramatic, frequently shifting and dancing in the night sky. They usually occur at higher latitudes near the Earth’s magnetic poles, where geomagnetic activity is strongest. The colors can be intense, with vivid greens, pinks, and sometimes purples.
Locations where you can observe discrete auroras:
Northern Norway: In Tromsø, discrete auroras are often visible on clear nights from September to March.
Lapland, Finland: The remote wilderness of Finnish Lapland offers a prime spot for witnessing vibrant discrete auroras.
Alaska, USA: In Fairbanks, you can often see these curtains of light, especially during the winter months.
Yukon, Canada: The high-latitude location makes it one of the best places to view the bright, dynamic displays of discrete auroras.
Diffuse Auroras
On the other hand, diffuse auroras create a more subtle glow, often described as “veils” or “clouds” of light. These auroras are less intense and appear as a dimmer, more evenly distributed glow across the sky. You’ll typically find diffuse auroras during geomagnetic storms, and they are more likely to appear at lower latitudes.
Locations where you can observe diffuse auroras:
Scotland, UK: During strong solar activity, diffuse auroras can sometimes be seen as a soft glow on the horizon.
Montana, USA: The diffuse aurora is frequently visible in Montana, especially during solar storms.
New Zealand and Tasmania: In the southern hemisphere, diffuse auroras (aurora australis) are sometimes visible in these regions during geomagnetic storms.
The Aurora Borealis and Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, also known as STEVE viewed from Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The Northern Lights over Mt. Chocorua and the White Mountain National Forest viewed from Tamworth, New Hampshire
The Colors of the Aurora
Auroras come in a mesmerizing array of colors, each telling the story of interactions between charged solar particles and Earth’s atmosphere at different altitudes:
Green: The most common color, caused by oxygen molecules at altitudes of 60-150 miles (100-240 km). It’s typically the dominant hue you’ll see.
Red: A rarer color produced by oxygen at even higher altitudes (above 150 miles). This can occur during intense solar activity.
Blue and Purple/Violet: These colors are generated by nitrogen molecules at lower altitudes (below 60 miles). Blue is less frequent, while purples often show up during strong auroral displays.
Pink: A beautiful blend of red and blue, often seen in more active auroras during geomagnetic storms.
Yellow and White: These hues typically result from mixtures of different colors and often appear pale or whitish to the naked eye.
The Northern Lights over the Bridger Range. Gallatin Valley, Montana
The Northern Lights viewed from Acadia National Park, Maine
Step-by-Step Guide to Forecasting the Aurora
Forecasting the northern lights involves monitoring a few key factors that can help predict when and where the aurora will be visible. Here’s a step-by-step process that we at Wildscape Adventures follow to increase our chances of catching this elusive phenomenon:
Check the Kp Index
The Kp index measures geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 to 9, with higher numbers indicating stronger auroral activity. A Kp index of 5 or higher typically indicates a geomagnetic storm, which increases your chances of seeing the aurora even at lower latitudes. Here's how to track it:Visit Solarham.com
Look for Kp values between 4 and 7 for moderate to strong displays of the northern lights. Values above 7 can result in spectacular auroras visible at lower latitudes.
Monitor the Bz Component
The Bz is part of the interplanetary magnetic field and indicates the direction of solar wind. For a strong auroral display:Look for the Bz to be in the southward direction (negative values). When the Bz is negative for extended periods, it means solar particles are more likely to penetrate Earth’s magnetic shield, creating auroras.
You can find this real-time data on Solarham.com, usually indicated as part of the solar wind chart.
Observe Solar Wind Speed and Density
High solar wind speeds and dense solar wind increase the chances of auroral activity:Check the current solar wind speed, which is displayed on aurora forecast websites. Look for speeds over 500 km/s for stronger auroral displays.
Density is another factor—higher densities (measured in particles per cubic centimeter) combined with high speeds can result in brighter auroras. Speeds between 400-800 km/s often signal good conditions.
Track the Auroral Oval
The auroral oval is a region encircling Earth’s poles where auroras are most likely to be visible:Use real-time auroral oval maps to determine where the lights might appear based on geomagnetic activity.
If you are in a region within or near the oval, your chances of seeing the aurora are high. Solarham.com and NOAA offer graphical representations of the auroral oval that update regularly.
Bz tipped south shown in the white box, typically indicating the arrival of a solar storm.
The KP Index, 7-day Lunar Calendar, and Statistical Auroral Oval.
graphic from SolarHam.com
The Statistical Auroral Oval shows the real-time auroral activity.
Finding the Best Viewing Location
At Wildscape Adventures, we know that location is everything when it comes to aurora photography. Here’s what we look for:
Clear skies: Clouds can obstruct the view of the aurora, so clear skies are essential. We always check local forecasts to ensure optimal conditions.
Unobstructed northern view: Since the aurora occurs around the northern horizon, it’s crucial to find a location with a clear view to the north, free from obstructions like trees, mountains, or buildings.
Minimal light pollution: Light pollution from urban areas can wash out the aurora’s brightness. We take you to remote locations, far from artificial lights, to ensure the darkest skies possible.
Step-by-Step Guide to Photographing the Aurora Borealis
Preparation Before Your Trip
Research Locations: Choose a location known for frequent aurora activity. Popular spots include Tromsø (Norway), Fairbanks (Alaska), and Yellowknife (Canada).
Check the Forecast: Monitor aurora forecasts on sites like Solarham.com and NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center to identify optimal nights for viewing.
Gear Up: Ensure you have the right equipment:
Camera (DSLR or mirrorless)
Tripod (essential for long exposures)
Wide-angle lens (f/2.8 or faster)
Extra batteries (cold weather drains batteries quickly)
Warm clothing and accessories (for comfort during long shooting sessions)
Setting Up Your Gear
Position Your Tripod: Find a stable, flat area with a clear view of the northern sky. Make sure there are no obstructions like trees or buildings.
Attach Your Camera: Secure your camera to the tripod and adjust it to point toward where the aurora is expected to appear.
Camera Settings for Aurora Photography
Switch to Manual Mode: This gives you full control over exposure settings.
Set Aperture: Use the widest aperture available (f/2.8 or lower) to allow as much light in as possible.
Adjust ISO: Start with an ISO of 800 to 1600. You may need to adjust based on your results—higher ISO increases sensitivity but can also add noise.
Set Shutter Speed: Begin with exposures of 8 to 15 seconds. Shorter exposures will capture more detail in the aurora, while longer ones will smooth out movement.
White Balance: Set the white balance to around 3500K-4000K to capture the natural colors of the aurora. Adjust as needed based on the results.
Focus: Use manual focus and set it to infinity. Take test shots and zoom in to check for sharpness.
Capturing the Aurora
Take Test Shots: Capture a few test images to evaluate exposure and focus.
Use a Remote Shutter Release or Timer: To avoid camera shake, use a remote release or the camera’s timer function.
Experiment with Composition: Include foreground elements (trees, mountains) for more dynamic compositions. Try different angles and perspectives.
Adjusting Settings Based on Conditions
Observe the Aurora: If the aurora is particularly bright, you may need to shorten the exposure time or lower the ISO to prevent overexposure.
Use Live View: If your camera has this feature, it can help you see the aurora more clearly and make adjustments as necessary.
Post-Processing
Editing Software: Use software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance your images. Adjust exposure, contrast, and color balance to bring out the vibrancy of the aurora.
Noise Reduction: Apply noise reduction tools if high ISO settings led to grainy images.
Practice and Patience
Take Lots of Shots: Don’t hesitate to take many photographs, as the aurora can change rapidly. Patience is key, as you may need to wait for the perfect moment to capture the best display.
For time-lapse enthusiasts, an intervalometer is key to capturing sequences that show the aurora’s shifting patterns over time. Just ensure your interval time is slightly longer than your exposure. See our full comprehensive guide on time lapsing the northern lights, including a step by step tutorial on creating your time lapse sequence in LRTimeLapse:
Our Comprehensive Guide to Time-Lapsing the Northern Lights
A time lapse sequence of the Northern Lights viewed from Montana
Capturing the Northern Lights with Your iPhone
The iPhone’s native camera app has come a long way in terms of low-light performance, and with the right settings, you can capture beautiful photos of the northern lights without needing third-party apps. Here’s how:
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the iPhone’s Native Camera App:
Enable Night Mode
Night Mode activates automatically in low-light conditions, and it’s perfect for capturing the northern lights. Here’s how to make the most of it:Open the Camera app.
If the lighting is low enough, Night Mode will automatically appear as a yellow icon in the upper-left corner. Tap this icon if needed to adjust the exposure time manually.
Use the slider to extend the exposure time. The longer the exposure, the more light your iPhone will capture. For the aurora, aim for the maximum exposure time (usually 10 seconds or more).
Use a Tripod or Stable Surface
To avoid camera shake during the long exposure, place your iPhone on a tripod or stable surface.If you don't have a tripod, improvise with any stable surface like a rock or bench.
For added stability, use the iPhone’s built-in timer to avoid any movement when tapping the shutter button.
Focus and Composition
The aurora can shift quickly, so you’ll want to focus manually:Tap the screen where the lights are most visible to set focus.
You can also adjust the exposure compensation by dragging up or down after tapping the screen. This will help balance the brightness and avoid overexposure.
Use Live Photo and Long Exposure
Another way to capture aurora movement is by using the Live Photo feature, which records a short burst of frames:Turn on Live Photo in the Camera app by tapping the circular icon at the top.
After taking your photo, go into the gallery, swipe up on the image, and select Long Exposure to smooth out the aurora’s motion.
Shoot in RAW (Optional for iPhone Pro Models)
If you're using an iPhone Pro model, you can enable ProRAW for more control in post-processing:Go to Settings > Camera > Formats, and toggle Apple ProRAW.
In the Camera app, tap the RAW icon to shoot in this mode. This will give you more flexibility when editing the colors and brightness of your aurora shots later on.
For Android Users:
Manual mode: Most Android phones come with a built-in Pro Mode that allows you to adjust settings like shutter speed, ISO, and focus.
ISO: Similar to iPhone settings, start with an ISO around 800-1600.
Shutter speed: Set your shutter speed between 10-20 seconds for optimal light capture.
Focus: Switch to manual focus and adjust to infinity to ensure the stars and aurora are in focus.
For both iPhone and Android, using a tripod is essential for stable shots during long exposures. If your phone has a night mode, activate it to enhance low-light photography.
Photographing the aurora borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and with the right knowledge and preparation, anyone can capture its beauty. At Wildscape Adventures, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, whether you’re using a high-end camera or your smartphone. Join us on one of our guided astrophotography and time-lapse photography tours in Acadia National Park or Yellowstone National Park, and we’ll ensure you leave with incredible photos and unforgettable memories. For more information, visit us at WildscapeAdventure.com.
