Solar eruption enhances chances of observing Aurora Borealis this weekend, while the Perseids meteor shower begins to intensify as well.
Photographers in northern latitudes have a unique opportunity this weekend, as the Perseids meteor shower gains intensity and the Northern Lights could potentially be visible in states like Michigan and Maine, as well as parts of Canada. Here's a guide to help you capture both phenomena.
For the best results, use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls, a wide-angle fast lens (f/2.8 or faster), and a tripod to keep the camera stable. Set your camera to a shutter speed between 5 and 20 seconds—shorter exposures for fast-moving auroras, longer exposures for faint ones—to avoid motion blur. Use manual focus, ideally focused on a distant star or light. Set ISO around 3200 to capture enough light without too much noise. Make sure to shoot in a dark location away from city lights, and be prepared for cold conditions with extra batteries.
Since the Perseids meteor shower is also active, keep your camera ready to capture meteors as well; this means continuously shooting or taking time-lapses during the night. Be patient, as auroras and meteors can appear sporadically and may require hours of waiting.
If you're using a smartphone, modern models can still capture auroras, but a tripod and manual or night mode are preferable. To stay informed about the Northern Lights, check real-time aurora forecasts and KP index predictions. A KP 4 or higher suggests good chances, especially during this solar maximum period that boosts aurora activity in 2025. Apps like Aurora can help interpret the predictions on the go and send push notifications if the odds for seeing the Northern Lights increase.
Minimize moonlight and artificial light pollution to improve visibility and photo quality. NOAA predicts a potential minor G1 storm due to the solar activity, with KP levels that exceed 4.0 beginning on August 08 at 15 UT, which is about 11 AM EST. However, remember that the solar activity needs to make an appearance during full darkness to be spotted from Earth.
Hillary K. Grigonis, the US coverage lead for Digital Camera World, offers valuable tips for photographing the Northern Lights. With over a decade of experience writing about cameras and technology, Hillary's work has appeared in various publications, including Business Insider, Digital Trends, Pocket-lint, Rangefinder, The Phoblographer, and more.
As a licensed drone pilot, Hillary has tested a wide range of cameras and lenses across multiple brands. Her advice for photographing the Northern Lights can be found in various resources. To prepare for the potential solar storm, read up on how to photograph the Northern Lights.
The Perseids meteor shower began on July 17 and tends to increase in intensity as the peak dates (August 12-13) near. A G1 storm is considered fairly minor and won't reach as far south as stronger storms. Nevertheless, night sky photographers may still be able to photograph meteors during the potential solar storm.
Following these guidelines will maximize your chances of capturing both the Northern Lights and meteors during this weekend’s Perseids event.
- Photographers in northern latitudes should use a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a fast wide-angle lens, and a tripod for stable shots during the Perseids meteor shower and the Northern Lights.
- Set shutter speed between 5 and 20 seconds on your camera to avoid motion blur, with shorter exposures for fast-moving auroras and longer ones for faint ones.
- Use manual focus, ideally focused on a distant star or light, and set ISO around 3200 for enough light without excessive noise.
- Aim to shoot in a dark location away from city lights and prepare for cold conditions with extra batteries.
- Smartphone users can still capture auroras with a tripod and manual or night mode, while using Apps like Aurora to stay informed about their visibility.
- Minimize moonlight and artificial light pollution to improve aurora visibility and photo quality, with NOAA predicting a potential minor G1 storm on August 08.
- Hillary K. Grigonis, a licensed drone pilot and US coverage lead for Digital Camera World, offers valuable tips for photographing the Northern Lights, with work published in various outlets like Business Insider and The Phoblographer.
- During the Perseids event, photographers may still be able to photograph meteors during a potential solar storm, despite it being fairly minor and not reaching as far south as stronger storms.
