Aurora Hunting Guide: How to See the Northern & Southern Lights
The aurora borealis and aurora australis are nature's most spectacular light shows. Dancing curtains of green, purple, and red light across the night sky. With the right timing, location, and knowledge, you can witness this phenomenon yourself. Here's everything you need to know to chase the lights.
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01Understanding Auroras
Auroras occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. The Sun constantly emits these particles in the "solar wind," but during solar storms (coronal mass ejections), billions of tons of plasma blast toward Earth.
When these particles hit our atmosphere, they excite oxygen and nitrogen atoms, causing them to glow:
- Green — Oxygen at 60-150 miles altitude (most common)
- Red — Oxygen above 150 miles
- Blue/Purple — Nitrogen at lower altitudes
- Pink — Nitrogen at the edge of curtains
The aurora forms an oval centered on the magnetic poles. Higher geomagnetic activity (measured by the Kp index) pushes this oval toward the equator, making auroras visible at lower latitudes.
Solar Cycle 25
02The Kp Index Explained
The Kp index measures geomagnetic activity on a 0-9 scale. It's your most important metric for aurora forecasting.
| Kp | Activity | Where Visible |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | Quiet | Only far north (Svalbard, northern Alaska) |
| 2-3 | Unsettled | Northern Canada, Scandinavia |
| 4 | Active | Scotland, Iceland, northern US states |
| 5 | Minor Storm | Northern UK, central Canada, northern Germany |
| 6-7 | Moderate Storm | Pacific Northwest, New England, central Europe |
| 8-9 | Severe Storm | Southern US, Mediterranean — rare but spectacular! |
Pro tip: Our Dashboard shows real-time Kp index data so you can plan your hunts.
Kp 5+
Most reliable for mid-latitude viewing (40-55°N).
G-Scale
NOAA also uses G1-G5 for storms (G1 = Kp5, G5 = Kp9).
Timing
Auroras peak around midnight (magnetic midnight, ~10pm-2am local).
03Best Locations for Auroras
Northern Hemisphere (Aurora Borealis):
- Norway — Tromsø is the aurora capital; clear crisp nights December-March
- Iceland — Dark skies everywhere; combine with hot springs
- Finland — Glass igloos let you watch from bed
- Alaska — Fairbanks has 240+ aurora nights per year
- Canada — Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Churchill
Southern Hemisphere (Aurora Australis):
- Tasmania — Southern tip offers best mainland views
- New Zealand — Stewart Island and South Island's east coast
- Antarctica — Ultimate destination (cruise from Argentina)
Dark skies are essential. Use our Light Pollution Map to find spots away from cities.
Sony a7 IV
“Full-frame mirrorless with exceptional low-light autofocus.”
Why we love it
The Eye AF works even in aurora conditions — critical for including people in your shots.
04Essential Aurora Hunting Gear
Beyond your camera, you need gear to survive hours in freezing conditions while staying comfortable and ready to shoot.
OCOOPA Hand Warmers (2-Pack)
“Rechargeable electric hand warmers — 14 hours of heat.”
Why we love it
Essential for keeping fingers warm enough to operate camera controls. Lithium batteries work better than chemical warmers in extreme cold.
05Camera Settings for Aurora Photography
Auroras move fast, so settings differ from static Milky Way photography:
Base Settings:
- Aperture: f/2.8 or wider (f/1.4-f/2 ideal)
- Shutter Speed: 1-8 seconds (shorter captures movement)
- ISO: 1600-6400 depending on aurora brightness
- Focus: Manual, infinity (or a star)
- White Balance: 3500-4500K for natural colors
Active vs. Subtle Auroras:
- Subtle glow: 8-15 seconds, ISO 3200-6400
- Active curtains: 1-4 seconds, ISO 1600-3200
- Corona (overhead): 0.5-2 seconds, ISO 3200
Pro tip: Watch with your eyes first! Cameras see more than you do. A faint glow to your eyes might photograph as vibrant green.
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
“Ultra-wide, fast lens perfect for aurora and astro.”
Why we love it
Wide enough to capture the full aurora display, fast enough for short exposures.
06Apps & Resources for Aurora Forecasting
Essential Apps:
- My Aurora Forecast — Best overall app with notifications
- Aurora Alert — Good for North America
- SpaceWeatherLive — Detailed technical data
Websites:
- NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center — Official US forecasts
- Aurora Service — Great for Europe
- Our Dashboard — Real-time Kp index and local conditions
Social Media:
- Follow @TamithaSkov (Space Weather Woman) for forecasts
- Join regional aurora hunting Facebook groups for alerts
Set Alerts!
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