While many travelers venture to Iceland or Sweden for a bucket-list chance to see the Northern Lights, people across the United States have recently been treated to a rare show—no passport required. Powerful geomagnetic storms brought the Aurora Borealis to large parts of the country in November.
If you’re like me, your social media feed was probably filled with stunning green and pink swirls. The even better news: More Northern Lights sightings are forecast for this winter.
To help you capture the best photos, I asked Kristen Hazelton, an award-winning professional photographer based in Chicago, for her top smartphone tips. Here are her three key suggestions:
The Aurora Borealis lights up the night sky in Norway. Many in the U.S. are getting a rare chance at spotting the Northern Lights this November.
(john finney photography via Getty Images)
1. Use an app to time your Northern Lights viewing
Hazelton recommends Aurora Now. “I appreciate how knowing exactly when to look helped cut down on the amount of time I was outside in the cold, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable,” she says. Apps like this can increase your chances of catching the lights at their peak.
2. Hold steady
Your phone will automatically use a long exposure in low light, so stability is essential for sharp images. “In a pinch you can brace the phone against a sturdy object like a railing, but the best for either a phone image or a camera image is a tripod,” Hazelton says.
3. Scout out dark skies
Location matters. Seek out areas with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the night sky from the northwest to the northeast. As Hazelton notes: “From my own experience on the 11/11 Northern Lights, I looked outside and saw nothing until I took a bit of a walk. Behind trees revealed the pink glow of the Aurora!”
With the right timing, steady hands, and dark skies, you’ll be ready to capture tonight’s auroral show.
What states will the Northern Lights be visible from?
Curious if you’ll be able to see Northern lights? Bookmark the NOAA aurora forecast map to see which states fall near the aurora viewing line.