How to capture the Northern lights

Imagine living in a country where the Aurora Borealis dances in the sky, but for eight years, you’ve never seen it. Sometimes you’re asleep, traveling, or just reading, only to wake up to social media posts full of regret for not staying up a bit later. And to top it off, none of your friends called to let you know? It’s frustrating, right? But be sad no longer.

In 2024, the Northern Lights are putting on one of their most spectacular displays in recent years, and it’s been impossible to ignore. From the far north of Lapland to even the southern corners of Finland, including Helsinki, people (and me!) have been treated to amazing views of the auroras lighting up the night sky. But what makes this year so special? And if you’re eager to catch the show yourself, how can you capture these magical moments with just your phone?

If you always miss the Northern lights… 2024 should not be that year!

The breathtaking displays we’re seeing this year are thanks to something called the solar cycle. The sun goes through an 11-year cycle of activity, and right now we’re nearing the peak of Solar Cycle 25. This means the sun is more active, sending out more solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — giant bursts of charged particles. When these particles reach Earth and hit our atmosphere, they create the Northern Lights.

In 2024, because the sun is more active, these particles are hitting our atmosphere more often, making the Northern Lights brighter, more colorful, and visible much farther south than usual. Typically, you’d have to travel to Lapland for the best views, but now, even people in Helsinki and the southern regions of Finland are catching glimpses of the auroras.

Last month I could see it right in front of the house. We have quite a darkish place and it was visible even from the window. The challenge was, though, to catch it nicely for social media. So, here is what I discovered:

1. If your phone has a “Pro” or manual mode, switch to it.
   • ISO: Set it between 800 and 1600 to make your camera more sensitive to light.
   • Shutter Speed: Increase the exposure time to 4-10 seconds to capture more light from the auroras. To not be shaking you can, of course, set up a tripod.
   • White Balance: Set it to around 3500K to bring out the colors of the lights.
2. Keep your phone steady. If you don’t have a tripod, prop it up on a stable surface to avoid any blur in your long-exposure shot.
3. The darker your environment, the better. Avoid any nearby streetlights or bright screens that can mess with your shot. You can also decrease exposure on the pictures.

How to know when to go out

If you’re looking for reliable aurora alerts, I personally recommend the Aurora app. After a lot of trial and error, I found it to be the best for sending timely notifications, ensuring you don’t miss a chance to see the Northern Lights.

2024 has truly brought the Northern Lights closer to home for people all over Finland. If you live in Helsinki, this year is your chance to see the auroras without having to make the long trip to Lapland. Just grab a warm jacket, check the aurora forecast, and find a dark spot to watch the sky light up.

If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing the beauty of the Northern Lights and telling your own nature story, I highly recommend taking the course “My Nature: An Introduction to Storytelling with Photography” by Edufication. With the stunning auroras lighting up Finland in 2024, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to use your mobile phone to photograph nature’s most spectacular displays. The course teaches you how to easily take stunning photos and reflect on your personal connection with the natural world.