The Northern Lights, a celestial dance of light painting the night sky in vibrant hues, have captivated humanity for centuries. Known scientifically as the aurora borealis, this breathtaking phenomenon is more than just a beautiful spectacle; it’s a result of powerful solar activity interacting with Earth’s atmosphere. For photographers and nature enthusiasts alike, witnessing and capturing the aurora is often a bucket-list experience. But what exactly are these mesmerizing lights, and how can you best appreciate and photograph them?
To truly understand and appreciate the Northern Lights, we need to delve into the science behind them and explore the best ways to witness and capture their ethereal beauty.
Unveiling the Science: What Causes the Northern Lights?
The aurora borealis is a natural light display in the Earth’s sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). This awe-inspiring phenomenon is caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude thermosphere (above 80 km). These charged particles originate from the sun and are carried to Earth by the solar wind.
When these solar particles reach Earth’s magnetic field, they are guided along the field lines towards the poles. As they descend into the atmosphere, they collide with atoms and molecules, primarily oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions excite the atmospheric gases, causing them to emit light. The color of the aurora depends on the type of atom or molecule being excited and the altitude of the collision.
- Oxygen produces green and red auroras. Green, the most common color, is emitted at lower altitudes, while red auroras are produced at higher altitudes.
- Nitrogen generally produces blue and purple auroras.
The intensity and activity of the Northern Lights are directly linked to solar activity. Increased solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) send more charged particles towards Earth, leading to more intense and frequent auroral displays.
When and Where to Witness the Aurora Borealis
To maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, timing and location are crucial.
Best Time of Year: The aurora season typically runs from late September to late March. During these months, the nights are long and dark in the high-latitude regions where auroras are most frequently seen. While auroras occur year-round, the darkness of the winter months makes them visible to the naked eye.
Best Time of Night: The prime viewing hours are usually between 10 PM and 3 AM local time. However, auroras can appear at any time when it’s dark enough. Monitoring aurora forecasts can provide more specific timings for peak activity.
Best Locations: The aurora borealis is visible in a band known as the auroral oval, which encircles the geomagnetic poles. The best places to see the Northern Lights are therefore in countries located within or near this oval:
- Alaska, USA: Fairbanks and Anchorage are popular destinations.
- Canada: Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Churchill offer excellent viewing opportunities.
- Iceland: Being entirely within the auroral oval, Iceland is a prime location.
- Norway: Tromsø, Lofoten Islands, and North Cape are renowned aurora spots.
- Sweden: Abisko and Kiruna in Swedish Lapland are highly recommended.
- Finland: Rovaniemi and Lapland region are popular for aurora tourism.
- Greenland: Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat offer remote and pristine viewing conditions.
- Russia: Murmansk and Siberia are also within the auroral zone, though less accessible for tourism.
To optimize your viewing experience, seek out locations with minimal light pollution. Venture away from city lights to dark, open areas for the clearest and most dramatic aurora displays.
Capturing the Magic: Photographing the Northern Lights
Witnessing the Northern Lights is magical, and capturing them in a photograph allows you to preserve and share this incredible experience. While it might seem daunting, photographing the aurora is achievable with the right equipment and techniques. You don’t need the most expensive gear to start capturing stunning aurora photos.
Essential Equipment: Camera and Tripod
The foundation of aurora photography is stability and light sensitivity. Therefore, two key pieces of equipment are essential:
- Camera: While professional-grade DSLRs and mirrorless cameras excel in low-light conditions, even entry-level cameras and modern smartphones can capture the aurora. The crucial feature is manual mode, allowing you to control settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.
- Tripod: A sturdy tripod is non-negotiable. Long exposures are necessary to capture the faint light of the aurora, and any camera shake will result in blurry images.
Camera Settings for Traditional Cameras
For those using traditional cameras, mastering manual settings is key to successful aurora photography.
1. Manual Mode: Set your camera to manual mode (“M”) to have full control over exposure settings.
2. ISO: Start with an ISO range between 800 and 3200. Adjust this based on your camera’s low-light performance and the aurora’s brightness. Higher ISO values increase sensitivity to light but can also introduce more noise (grain) into your photos. Experiment to find the sweet spot for your camera and the specific conditions.
3. Aperture: Use the widest aperture your lens allows. This is represented by the lowest f-number (e.g., f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6). A wider aperture lets in more light, crucial for capturing faint auroras.
4. Shutter Speed: This setting requires adjustment based on the aurora’s activity.
- Fast-moving aurora: Use shorter shutter speeds of 5-10 seconds to freeze the motion and capture detail.
- Slow-moving or faint aurora: Use longer shutter speeds of 15-30 seconds to gather more light. Be mindful that excessively long exposures can blur fast-moving auroras and cause star trails due to Earth’s rotation.
5. Focus: Set your focus to infinity to ensure sharp stars and auroras. In manual focus mode, turn the focus ring to the infinity symbol (∞) on your lens. You can also focus on a distant bright star or object in live view mode and then switch to manual focus to lock it.
Advanced Gear for Enhanced Photography
While a camera and tripod are the essentials, a few additional accessories can significantly improve your aurora photography experience.
- Remote Trigger: A remote shutter release minimizes camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button directly, especially during long exposures. Wired or wireless triggers are available, or you can use your camera’s self-timer function.
- Extra Battery: Cold temperatures drain batteries quickly. Carry extra batteries and keep them warm in a pocket close to your body to prolong their life.
- Headlamp: A headlamp is invaluable for navigating in the dark, adjusting camera settings, and preventing accidents. Choose one with a red light mode to preserve your night vision.
Mobile Device Photography: Capturing Aurora with Your Smartphone
Modern smartphones have made significant strides in low-light photography. You can capture impressive aurora photos with your phone, provided you have the right tools and settings.
1. Device Tripod: Just like with traditional cameras, stability is key. Use a smartphone tripod mount to secure your phone to a tripod. Compact and affordable phone tripods are readily available.
2. Manual Camera App: Your phone’s default camera app might not offer manual controls. Download a dedicated camera app that provides professional or manual mode, allowing you to adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Adobe Lightroom Mobile (free with a basic Adobe account) and ProCamera (paid app) are excellent options.
3. Smartphone Camera Settings: Apply similar settings as for traditional cameras:
- ISO: Start with 800-3200, adjust as needed.
- Aperture: Smartphones typically have fixed apertures. Use the widest aperture available (usually indicated in the app).
- Shutter Speed: Experiment with 5-30 seconds depending on aurora activity.
- Focus: Tap to focus on a distant point or use manual focus if available in your app.
Tips for Success: Practice and Patience
Photographing the Northern Lights is a rewarding but sometimes challenging endeavor. Here are some final tips for success:
- Practice: Familiarize yourself with your camera settings and practice night photography before your aurora hunt.
- Patience: Auroras are natural phenomena and can be unpredictable. Be patient and prepared to wait for the lights to appear.
- Check Aurora Forecasts: Websites and apps provide aurora forecasts, indicating the likelihood and intensity of auroral activity.
- Dress Warmly: Spending long periods outdoors in cold, dark conditions requires proper clothing. Dress in layers, including thermal wear, warm outerwear, gloves, and a hat.
- Embrace Trial and Error: Experiment with different settings and compositions to find what works best. Don’t be discouraged by initial failures; each attempt is a learning opportunity.
The quest to witness and photograph the Northern Lights is an unforgettable adventure. By understanding what causes these celestial wonders and equipping yourself with the right knowledge and gear, you can maximize your chances of experiencing and capturing the magic of the aurora borealis. Happy aurora hunting!
