Aurora Hunting

Did you know that you don’t need to get one of those aurora tours - or be under the Arctic sky, even - in order to see a spectacular Northern Lights show?

We’ve been doing Northern Lights hunting for a few years now, and figure we’ve accumulated enough personal experience to be able to help you do the same!

This post - as well as the accompanying posts - will help identify the special conditions needed for this natural phenomenon to occur, what you’ll need, and how to plan for your best chance at seeing them when they do occur.

With the knowledge you’ll gain here, a bit of luck, some warm drinks for the road... you’re well on your way to having an unforgettable experience.

There is a LOT to talk about, so let’s get right to it!

All rights reserved - images may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded or transmitted in any form or manipulated without the written permission of Marie & Michael Porter, 2 Nerds in a Truck.

Can I see Northern Lights Tonight? Understanding the Aurora Forecast
How to Photograph the Northern Lights - Tips for Camera & Phone Photography
Where to See Northern Lights in Ontario

Will There Be An Aurora?

Before you really get going on your Aurora Hunting journey, you’ll want to learn how to recognize when there’s a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

The puzzle pieces start to fall into place a few days ahead of time, which you’ll know by monitoring solar activity. The final pieces are more of a last minute thing: weather conditions.

So, let’s look at this chronologically:

Familiarize Yourself With Aurora Apps

We use a few different apps for predicting Northern Lights activity. 2 of them may seem redundant, but the backup info / alerts has helped on more than one occasion, where one app will pick up activity before the other.

Anyway...

The main app we use, this one has a TON of information about what’s about to happen, and what the current conditions are.

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spaceweatherlive.app
Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/spaceweatherlive/id1435501021

My Aurora Forecast

Our “backup” app now, it’s actually the one we started with.

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrustonapps.myauroraforecast
AppleStore: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/my-aurora-forecast-alerts/id1073082439

We don’t use this one - it’s only available for Apple users - but I’ve heard good things about it.

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/northern-light-aurora-forecast/id1092949787

Atmospheric

This is a great app for keeping track of atmospheric conditions - in particular, the cloud cover.

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.astrospheric.dfior.astrospheric
Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/astrospheric/id1166046863

Understanding the Aurora Forecast

Before even looking at weather, lighting, and location, the most important factor in whether or not there’s a good chance you’ll see an aurora, is what’s going on with the geomagnetic storms, solar wind, and the Earth’s atmosphere in general.

Basically, you want a high KP index, a negative Bz, an Auroral Oval, and a good amount of hemispheric power on the go.

Going into all of that is way more information that would fit in this post, so check out Porter’s guide: Can I see Northern Lights Tonight? Understanding the Aurora Forecast.

When it comes to predicting whether or not you’ll see an aurora, your location + the aurora conditions work together.

The higher north you go, the better show you’ll get when there’s only a little activity.

When the numbers are REALLY wild - like they were in May 2024 - you’ll be able to catch a bit of the show much further south, and even over bright city lights!

The Weather Forecast

Sometimes you’ll be right in a prime auroral zone - with all the numbers looking great - and mother nature will LAUGH at your hope, just completely shrouding you in clouds.

The thing is, you really need a clear sky in order to see the Northern Lights. Sure, a little cloud cover can make for some interesting photos... but clearer skies are a safer bet.

A key rule of thumb here: If you can’t see stars in the night sky - whether due to clouds or light pollution (more on that in a bit), you will not see Aurora Borealis.

Depending on what weather app you use, be sure to check the night time forecasts specifically for the amount of cloud cover.

Beyond that, consulting a Cloud Cover Map can be a good way to see what’s in store for your set of possible locations.

On the subject of dark skies, a clear night isn’t the only concern: Keep in mind what time of the moon phase it is.

A full moon can contribute an awful lot of light, and can easily wash out a smaller aurora display.

That said, moon rise and set times can factor in.

If a full moon doesn’t even rise til, say, 3 am on the day you’re looking at hunting, it’s all good before that point!

Find The Best Places to See the Northern Lights

Not all of us will have the chance to fly to north Iceland for a guided tour of the aurora, or charter a private tour to the arctic circle.

Luckily, most of us don’t need to get anywhere near that extreme with things, to enjoy an aurora display.

Here’s what you need to know, to find the best spot to see the show!

Scout Your Location Ahead of Time

Before getting into the specifics of finding your spot, I want to mention that finding a spot the day you want to go aurora hunting is NOT the way to go.

Some time - when you have the time to tour around for great places, WITHOUT a potential aurora show looming - go scouting for your locations. Do this in the daylight, so you have a good idea of what you’re dealing with.

I find it helpful to take photos and notes, to help me decide which will work best for any given scenario.

What to Look For

1. First things first: Load up the Light Pollution Map, and look for places north of where you are, that are in the lowest possible amount of light.

The visibility of the northern lights DEFINITELY depends on being in the darkest possible conditions.

2. Identify a few places that seem to make sense. This can be something like a lake with a definite north facing view, ideally with a rural road or small parking lot at the south end.

3. This is key: identify a good handful of specific areas, and be open to driving around a bit aimlessly when you go scouting. You never know what you’ll encounter - be open to the possibilities!

4. When you’re checking out a potential spot, look at the overall situation. You want the horizon to be relatively far off (easy with a lake!), with no big obstructions in the way. Is there a safe place to set up? What is the light situation?

Street lights above, “mood lighting” on a beach, a large, popular area of cabins across the lake - all of these can negatively impact your Northern Lights viewing and photography.

5. When in doubt, seek out local knowledge. A friendly question on a regional Facebook group can easily turn up some of the best aurora viewing possibilities in the area - especially important if you’ve never been there!

Have Multiple Locations to Choose From

Personally, I recommend having various places to choose from, so you’re set for any possibility.

Having The One Perfect Spot may sound great... until that specific area has rain during the Northern Lights!

I like to have a few possibilities:

1 - Something as far north as I choose to go, for those times where I have the time and inclination to drive further.

2 - A location a bit further south (still away from the city lights) that will work for bigger shows, the nights I’m feeling lazy, or when it’s the best bet there for clear skies when everything further north is cloudy.

3 - A location to the North East, and a location to the North west.

4 - A variety of locations with different views. Personally, I love shooting over a big lake... but I don’t want all my photos to have the same lake. Try to get a location with a field, maybe with a tree line way in the distance. Variety is good!

More Tips For Aurora Hunting

Beyond knowing whether or not there’s an aurora - and where to go see it - there are some other things to keep in mind:

Have the Right Equipment

While you don’t need to get TOO fancy with your set up, there are a few pieces of equipment that you’ll either outright need, or can come in really handy:

Appropriate Light Source: If you’re not shooting from your own back yard, you’re going to want a flashlight or headlamp to find your way to your aurora watching spot. I recently bought a 2 pack of Rechargeable Headlamps for our trip to Warsaw Caves Conservation Area, and they’ve actually been fabulous for hands-free navigation when Aurora Hunting. They even have a red light option!

Red light is the best, as it won’t interfere with your night vision. If you’re not getting a headlamp, try to get your hands on a Red Light Flashlight. Not only is this better for your vision, it’ll be less obnoxious to anyone else who’s aurora hunting - and photographing - in the area!

Tripod: Because you’ll need to take longer exposure time photos in order to see the colours, you really do need a tripod. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy or expensive - I use a XXZU 60" Camera Tripod with Travel Bag which is a super economical tripod that’s compatible with phones AND cameras. I think it was $25 when I bought it?

Spare Batteries: If you’re using a traditional camera, be sure to have some spare batteries on hand. You can be out there for hours on end, in the cold. In the event that you get a really wild show, you’re definitely going to want backup.

If you’re using a phone - which can also drain faster in the cold - definitely consider bringing a power bank and charging cable.

Folding Chair: You’re going to be waiting a while - it’s nice to have somewhere comfortable to sit!

Plan for the Weather

With Aurora Hunting - a lot of the time - you can expect to be waiting a LONG time, on some pretty cold nights.

Be sure to wear warm clothes. Thermal clothing can be a great idea, especially when young kids are involved. Hats, gloves, etc.

On that note - bring warm blankets, as well!

Bring hot drinks! A thermos of hot chocolate can go a long way to warming you up, AND making the occasion more festive!

... you might want to consider bringing coffee for your driver, if you’re not overnighting somewhere!

Finally, try to have a warm place you can duck into, if it’s really cold. Rent a cabin, plot out some nearby all-night diners, etc.

Have a Plan B

Even with the BEST chances on the forecast and a trip to the perfect location, sometimes you’ll end up without any aurora at all.

If you’re driving a long way, try to book a bit of a vacation around it, so that you won’t miss out completely, in the event there’s no Aurora.

Book a stay at one of the many remote lodges out there, or look into tour operators in the area you’ll be visiting.

Even beyond extending your stay, you can make the most of your wait.

When the aurora’s not out, point your camera in different directions to get other kinds of sky images. You’re already somewhere dark, take advantage of it!

The Milky Way is always fun to photograph, and there’s general astral photography beyond that. Look at the constellations, see what planets are out... maybe you can see a shooting star!

Northern Lights FAQ

Here are answers to some of the common questions people have about seeing the northern lights:

What Causes the Northern Lights?

What you’re seeing with Northern Lights is basically the result of a defense mechanism!

From time to time, the sun lets out large bursts of energy - Coronal Mass Ejections, or CMEs. This happens as part of a solar flare, but doesn’t necessarily happen with EVERY solar flare.

These can shoot out in all directions from the sun, but the ones we’re really concerned with are the ones aimed at the earth. These are the CMEs that aurora hunters get excited about!

When the CME hits the upper atmosphere, the earth’s magnetic field shields us from taking the brunt of the hit. It redirects the charged particles toward the poles - north AND south - where they interact with existing molecules in the atmosphere.

Those molecules can get charged up - or “excited”, and can glow.

When this happens in the Northern Hemisphere, you see the Northern Lights, AKA the Aurora Borealis.

In the Southern Hemisphere, they’re the Southern Lights, AKA Aurora Australis.

What Causes the Different Colours in the Northern Lights?

The colours you see are determined by the types of particles that get charged up while all this is happening.

A good concentration of Oxygen molecules is what causes the green aurora bands - this is the most common colour you’ll see.

Red Auroras happen a bit higher up in the atmosphere, where there’s a lower concentration of Oxygen... and the Nitrogen contributes to the red colour.

Blue and Purple aurora bands happen lower down - closer to the earth - where the specific concentration of Nitrogen at that altitude is what causes the blue and purple colours.

This is a VERY simplified explanation, as more factors come into play, including the amount of solar energy involved.

Can You See the Northern Lights with the Naked Eye?

Whether or not you’ll see the lights to the naked eye depends on a few things.

First of all, how strong the storm is, and where you’re located. The stronger the storm and/or the further north you are, the more likely it’ll be that you can see it without a camera.

Then, there’s the surrounding conditions. The less ambient light, the better your chances of seeing them. You’re far more likely to see them in areas of low light pollution, far away from city lights.

Then, there are vision specific issues. You need to let your eyes acclimatize to the dark. If you stare at a brightly lit phone screen immediately before looking at the Aurora, you’re not likely to see it.

So, turn down all your lights, set your phone to dark mode, and - if possible - use a red flash light to get to your aurora hunting spot. Limit the amount of light you see, and let the northern lights appear to you!

Finally, there’s a degree of eyesight / genetics involved. Some people just see Northern Lights more easily than others, even in the exact same conditions.

Maybe it’s a matter of acclimatizing faster, maybe there’s something about the light intake / colour spectrum. You can have two people looking at the same display, side by side, and one might see the colours, while the other may only perceive white.

All that said - you will never see aurora the same way your phone or camera sees it. If you’re seeing even a wisp of aurora to the naked eye, expect anything coming off a camera to be far more vibrant!

What Kind of Equipment Do I Need to Photograph The Northern Lights

You can photograph the Northern Lights with a film camera, a digital camera, or a cell phone, with minor differences in how each will work.

Aside from that, you definitely need a tripod. You’ll want to do fairly long exposures, and ANY amount of movement will make for a blurry photo.

I use a XXZU 60" Camera Tripod with Travel Bag which is a super economical tripod that’s compatible with phones AND cameras.

Anyway, Porter has written an entire post with everything you need to know about photographing the northern lights: How to Photograph the Northern Lights - Tips for Camera & Phone Photography

What are the Best Camera Settings for Photographing the Northern Lights?

I hate to say it, but there really isn’t a set of ideal settings for every aurora.

Part of it depends on your equipment. I shoot with a phone, my husband shoots with a mirrorless digital camera (Canon), and our settings never look anything alike.

I have no idea why the ISO seems to mean something completely different between the two sets of equipment, but I guess it is what it is.

Anyway, besides the actual equipment, there’s the matter of what you’re shooting.

A brighter aurora show will need very different settings than a lower energy display. If you’re contending with a lot of moon light, that’s going to affect things as well.

During one recent auroral display, I had to be CONSTANTLY changing my settings, as the aurora kept getting brighter and brighter. It would burst brighter, and my then-current settings (which worked perfectly fine a minute earlier) would start producing a blown out image.

Anyway, in general you’re looking for a moderate ISO setting, and a longer shutter time - I usually aim for 8-10 seconds on my phone, and adust the ISO to make that happen.

If you go up to a 15 second long exposure - or longer - you’ll end up with “tails” on the stars in your image, and the aurora itself can be a bit blurry. This is especially a problem with auroras that have a lot of movement - motion blur!

Anyway, Porter has written an entire post with everything you need to know about photographing the northern lights: How to Photograph the Northern Lights - Tips for Camera & Phone Photography

Why Does it Seem Like the Northern Lights are More Common Now?

The sun goes through solar cycles that last about 11 years. Part of the cycle is more quiet, while other parts see more activity.

Right now, we’re in the part of the current cycle that’s referred to as “solar maximum”, when the sun is at its stormiest. This is why we’ve seen bigger and more frequent shows in 2024, and can expect the same well into 2025.

Scientists don’t know when it will peak - and they won’t know til AFTER it peaks... so enjoy the enhanced show while it lasts!

Don’t get too used to it, though. If all continues according to pattern, it’ll quiet down again sometime in late 2025.

What is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?

Generally speaking, you’re looking at the colder months - the beginning of September to the beginning of April, or thereabouts.

I repeat - GENERALLY speaking. In 2024, all bets are off - at the time of publication, the wildest display of Northern Lights we’ve seen was in the middle of May!

Beyond that, you need it to be after dark. While the aurora can technically happen all day, every day, you’re only seeing it when the daylight is completely gone.

Beyond THAT - it’s anyone’s guess. We’ve seen aurora that was already going strong *the minute* it got dark, and we’ve seen auroras that only got going about 1 hour before sunrise, and were still going as the sun washed it out.

In general, 11pm - 2am seems to be a pretty consistent time for them, during the storms we track.

Can You See the Northern Lights in the Southern Hemisphere?

Well, yes and no.

As mentioned above, you can see the SOUTHERN Lights - Aurora Australis - in the southern hemisphere.

What does “Dancing Lady” Mean?

In Aurora Hunting circles, a LOT of people like to refer to the aurora as “a lady” or “the lady”.

When the aurora is visible to the eye and starts moving - usually in waves, sometimes more like a curtain waving in the wind, sometimes in random spirals - that’s when it’s said to be the “dancing lady” making an appearance.

In September 2024, I actually got a photo where it straight up looks like there’s someone dancing in it.

It was when I was visiting my ancestral homeland, which made it extra special.

That part of my family is Ojibwe - and Indigenous culture believes that the Aurora is the spirits of our ancestors dancing.

So, I was sure to say “Hi” to Great Great Gramma, and thank her for the lovely welcome to the park!

How Long Does a Northern Lights Show Last?

This depends on all of the conditions that produce the aurora in the first place.

Some of the stronger storms we’ve seen went on for hours and hours - we had to tap out, long before it did!

Other times, a show might be 10-15 minutes of “warm up”, a 5 minute burst of a decent show, then peter out for the night.

Is There Any Etiquette Involved with Aurora Hunting?

Yes - pretty much everything can be summed up with “don’t make a nuisance of yourself”.

Keep your lights down - headlights AND flashlights - and use a red flashlight to get around, if at all possible. You don’t know who else will be there trying to get photos, don’t let your lights ruin their photos!

Don’t trespass, and definitely don’t litter.

Be sure to park somewhere that’s legal AND SAFE, and be mindful of other people using the road / area.

Depending on where you are / who you’re with, you might want to avoid whistling at or otherwise disrespecting the Aurora, as it’s believed to lead to misfortune in some cultures.

Who or What is STEVE?

“Steve” is another kind of atmospheric condition that you can sometimes see when hunting the aurora.

Steve is actually an acronym, though - it’s really “S.T.E.V.E.” - Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement.

It’s basically a big - 25 km wide - ribbon of really hot plasma (3,000 °C!) at an altitude of 450 km. It shows up as a big purple and green streak, almost like a brightly illuminated contrail in the night sky.

What Facebook Groups Can You Recommend?

For those in Ontario, Ontario Aurora Chasers is a FANTASTIC resource, with up-to-the-minute reports being posted during times of auroral activity.

Aurora Borealis Chasers - The Northern Lights is a more generic / international group, and also a good source of information, photos, and updates.

Also - while it’s not Facebook - those on Twitter should consider following Space Weather Live there: @_SpaceWeather_

Places To See The Northern Lights

Looking for a few ideas on where to start with your Aurora Borealis hunting? We're a big fan of aurora hunting at Provincial Parks.

There's a BIG caveat here, though: You must be a registered CAMPER in order to be in the parks after 10 pm. Otherwise, expect some big fines.

Looking to book a camping spot to see the show? Here are a few suggestions!

Arrowhead Provincial Park
Awenda Provincial Park
Big Bay, Ontario
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Canisbay Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park
Chutes Provincial Park
Driftwood Provincial Park
Killbear Provincial Park
Lake Superior Provincial Park
Pancake Bay Provincial Park
Pinery Provincial Park
Quetico Provincial Park
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park