Aurora Hunting 101

The aurora borealis (northern lights) and aurora australis (southern lights) are among nature's most spectacular displays. Capturing these dancing lights requires knowledge, preparation, and patience. This guide will help you plan your aurora hunting adventure and increase your chances of success.

Aurora Basics:

Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's atmosphere, causing atoms to emit light. The colors vary based on which gases are excited—oxygen produces green and red, while nitrogen produces blue and purple.

When and Where to See Auroras

Best Locations

Northern lights are best seen in the "Auroral Oval" around the Arctic Circle, including:

Tromsø, Norway
Abisko, Sweden
Reykjavik, Iceland
Fairbanks, Alaska
Yellowknife, Canada

Southern lights are visible from Antarctica, Tasmania, and southern New Zealand.

Best Time of Year

Auroras are visible year-round but require darkness. The best viewing seasons are:

September-October: Mild temperatures and active solar weather
February-March: Another peak period with longer nights
Winter months: Long nights increase viewing opportunities, but extreme cold presents challenges

Best Time of Night

Auroras are most active around local midnight (10pm-2am), but can appear anytime it's dark. The best displays often occur between 11pm and 1am.

Essential Aurora Hunting Gear

Camera with manual controls: DSLR or mirrorless with bulb mode capability
Fast wide-angle lens: f/2.8 or faster (f/1.4-f/2.0 ideal)
Sturdy tripod: Essential for long exposures
Remote shutter release: Minimizes camera shake
Spare batteries: Cold drains batteries quickly—keep extras warm in inner pockets
Headlamp with red light: Preserves night vision
Warm clothing: Thermal layers, insulated boots, hand warmers

Camera Settings for Aurora Photography

Recommended starting settings (adjust as needed):

Mode: Manual
ISO: 1600-6400 (higher for faint auroras)
Aperture: Widest possible (f/1.4-f/2.8)
Shutter speed: 5-25 seconds (shorter for active displays to avoid blur)
Focus: Manual focus set to infinity (test during daylight)
White balance: 3500-4500K or daylight preset
Image format: RAW for maximum post-processing flexibility

Finding and Predicting Auroras

Solar Activity Monitoring

Several key indicators help predict auroral activity:

KP Index: Measures geomagnetic activity (0-9 scale). KP 4+ suggests good activity, KP 6+ indicates potential for spectacular displays.
Solar Wind Speed: Faster solar wind (400+ km/s) increases chances.
Bz Component: Southward orientation (-Bz) allows particles to enter Earth's atmosphere.

Useful Aurora Forecast Resources

NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
University of Alaska Fairbanks Aurora Forecast
SpaceWeatherLive app
Aurora Alerts apps

Pro Tip:

Even with low KP forecasts, always check the sky—some of the most intense displays occur unexpectedly during minor geomagnetic storms.

Composition Tips for Aurora Photography

Include interesting foreground elements (mountains, trees, buildings)
Use reflections in water when possible
Position the aurora off-center using rule of thirds
Shoot vertical compositions to emphasize the aurora's height
Include people for scale and human interest

Post-Processing Aurora Images

RAW files allow for significant enhancement while maintaining natural appearance:

Adjust white balance to accurately represent colors (typically 3500-4500K)
Increase shadows carefully to reveal foreground detail
Enhance clarity and vibrance moderately to make aurora stand out
Reduce noise in dark areas while preserving aurora details
Consider stacking multiple exposures for improved signal-to-noise ratio

Aurora hunting requires patience and persistence, but witnessing nature's greatest light show is an unforgettable experience. With proper preparation and these techniques, you'll be ready to capture stunning images when the lights dance overhead.