Want to photograph the northern lights tonight? Here’s how to plan your trip and the best settings to use

Back in June, we heard that the sun is at the peak of its 11-year magnetic activity cycle, meaning more chances of seeing the northern lights across mid-latitude regions in the US and Europe. Well, good news tonight: there’s another opportunity to bask in those dancing magenta and green hues.

I can tell you, the northern lights are an awe-inspiring natural wonder—I witnessed a display for the first time where I live in the south of the UK in May 2024. If you live in a region where the northern lights could be on display tonight, you should follow my 5 tips below for planning your photos.

In the UK, the prediction is that only Scotland and northern England will see the northern lights tonight, according to the BBC, while USA Today suggests two dozen states have a chance.

Not going to make it out tonight? Fear not! Scientists delivered further good news for night sky lovers earlier this year, suggesting that the sun is entering a long-term phase of heightened activity that could span several decades.

I’ll write again when the next intense geomagnetic storm gets underway and the northern lights could be particularly visible. But for now, here’s how to take advantage of tonight’s northern lights opportunities.

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### 5 Steps for Planning Northern Lights Photos

**TL;DR:**
Check the conditions, find the right location, plan the shot, gather the right equipment, prepare the best camera settings.

If you’d like a deep dive for the best chance of taking stunning northern lights photos, check out our in-depth article *5 Ways to Plan Your Northern Lights Shoot*.

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### 1. Check the Conditions

First things first, check out reliable sources like the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) or AuroraWatch UK to see where the northern lights are likely to be visible.

Tonight’s prediction includes two dozen states in the US, plus Scotland and northern England in the UK.

Next, check the weather forecast and pray for clear skies! There are plenty of social media accounts providing regular updates and push alerts to keep you informed.

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### 2. Find the Right Location and Plan Your Shot

Wherever you are, head away from light pollution and to dark-sky areas for the clearest possible sightings.

Use local knowledge along with an app like PhotoPills to plan your shot—remember, you’ll want to face north to capture the aurora borealis!

I like to include a point of interest in the foreground of my northern lights photos, as you can see from images I took back in May 2024. This could be an isolated tree, a building, or a body of water for reflections, which is a particularly effective technique.

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### 3. Check Your Gear

Just about any camera can shoot northern lights images—the photo above was taken with an old Google Pixel 6!

Personally, I prefer using a ‘proper’ camera, like my mirrorless camera paired with a wide-angle zoom lens. Regardless of the camera, a sturdy tripod is essential for sharp, shake-free shots.

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### 4. Choose the Best Camera Settings

Most modern smartphones include a night mode that enhances low-light photography. Select models, such as the Google Pixel phones, feature a dedicated Astrophotography mode.

If your shutter speed is too long, those lovely northern lights details will blur into one solid mass of color, and you’ll lose fine details (like in the photo above). I suggest experimenting with various settings.

For cameras with manual exposure control, select a shutter speed between 1 and 5 seconds and increase the ISO to get the right brightness. It’s better to use a higher ISO with a shorter exposure than a longer exposure with a low ISO.

Your priority should be capturing detail over minimizing noise.

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Good luck, and here’s to clear skies!

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