Isle Royale Forums

If skies are clear, the Northern Lights are really putting on a show tonight! I’ve seen reports from as far south as Nashville!

I think I am cursed when it comes to the Aurora. I only ever saw them once when I lived in the UP. Last night, my neighbors all claimed they could see the lights, but standing outside with a clear sky I couldn't find a thing!

dcclark wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 7:05 am I think I am cursed when it comes to the Aurora. I only ever saw them once when I lived in the UP. Last night, my neighbors all claimed they could see the lights, but standing outside with a clear sky I couldn't find a thing!

Next time (whenever that is), take a picture towards the north and see what shows up.

Kelly wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 8:59 am

dcclark wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 7:05 am I think I am cursed when it comes to the Aurora. I only ever saw them once when I lived in the UP. Last night, my neighbors all claimed they could see the lights, but standing outside with a clear sky I couldn't find a thing!

Next time (whenever that is), take a picture towards the north and see what shows up.

Yes, a camera will capture them better than the human eye. The optimal method requires a camera with adjustable shutter speed and aperture and the use of a tripod. Open up the aperture wide and set the shutter speed to 15 seconds (tripod needed)
Also, the colors will be more vivid.

It is also possible that your eyes need to be trained to what unfiltered, unphotographed auroras can look like. As an amateur astronomer, I have been astonished by how much I have learned to see! Sometimes auroras are just a faint glow at the northern horizon, sometimes they look like searchlights, and sometimes they just look like faint clouds. Then sometimes they are spectacular.

Bobcat1 wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 10:54 pm As an amateur astronomer, I have been astonished by how much I have learned to see!

This is true, and speaks to the value of time, exposure, learning, and experience.

I agree. I couldn't see anything in my backyard, especially with all of the light pollution. But a several-second photo with my phone got me a few pics, but nothing stellar.

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I tried some long exposures last night and couldn't find anything, but I think that living in the middle of a city is a bigger issue.

I'll be camping on the shore of Lake Superior in a week and can only hope the auroras will be active then!

Good views this weekend over Lake Superior!

Tonight is potentially another lights show for us all