Capturing the Cosmos: Photography Tips for the Night Sky and Aurora
Night sky photography offers a chance to capture the wonders of the cosmos, from the brilliance of the Milky Way to the vibrant auroras, especially during peak solar years in 2025 and 2026. Whether you are photographing distant galaxies, planets, or the northern lights, the right gear, timing, and techniques are essential for success. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know, from planning your shoot to mastering exposure settings.
Aurora Borealis, Alaska
Night Photography and the Peak Solar Years for the Aurora
Night sky photography allows photographers to document stars, planets, galaxies, and phenomena like the aurora borealis and the Milky Way. Key elements for success include avoiding light pollution and managing moonlight. By mastering exposure settings and composition techniques, photographers can reveal distant nebulae and auroras against a star-filled sky. This pursuit demands patience, as photographers wait for the perfect moments when cosmic elements align to create captivating compositions.
The years 2025 and 2026 mark the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, providing extraordinary opportunities to capture the northern lights at their most vibrant. During this time, solar activity, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections, reaches its highest levels, sending charged particles toward Earth. These particles interact with Earth's magnetic field, creating more intense auroras visible further south than usual.
Aurora Borealis, Alaska
Essential Steps for Capturing the Aurora
The northern lights are one of the most awe-inspiring phenomena in the night sky. These vibrant ribbons of light are created by energized particles traveling from the sun to Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph. As these particles interact with our planet’s magnetic field, they are redirected toward the poles, where they create a breathtaking light show. Witnessing this celestial spectacle requires careful planning and preparation.
Locate a Dark Sky
To capture the aurora or Milky Way in all their glory, the first step is to find a location with minimal light pollution. City lights can obscure the delicate beauty of these celestial wonders. Use dark sky pollution maps or smartphone apps to identify prime astrophotography spots. Websites like Dark Sky Map offer valuable information on light pollution levels, helping you seek out the darkest skies for your shoot.
Ensure Clear Skies
Cloud cover can easily obscure the aurora’s mesmerizing display, so it’s essential to prioritize locations with clear, open skies. This will maximize your chances of capturing the aurora in all its splendor.
Monitor Aurora Activity
Stay up to date on aurora activity using websites and apps dedicated to solar forecasts. Sites like Spaceweather.com provide updates on solar conditions and aurora predictions. Pay attention to the KP index, a scale that measures the intensity of geomagnetic storms. A higher KP index means a greater likelihood of seeing the aurora, and it may even extend further south. Keeping track of the KP index can help you plan the best times to shoot.
Put Your Time In
When the conditions are right, it’s important to spend several hours observing the aurora, ideally from 10 pm to 3 am. Relying on aurora apps or hotel wakeup calls can be unreliable due to the fluctuating KP index. Based on our experience leading photo tours, consistent observation is key to spotting the aurora. The main obstacle will likely be cloud cover, so patience and persistence are essential.
Aurora photo tour, Alaska
Gear and Equipment for Night Photography
Having the right gear is essential for successful night sky photography. Wide-angle lenses with fast apertures, such as f/2.8 or f/1.4, are ideal for capturing expansive night skies. Full-frame DSLR or mirrorless cameras with strong low-light performance are particularly suited for astrophotography. A sturdy tripod ensures stability during long exposures, preventing blur and producing sharp, detailed images. Using a cable release enables precise timing and control over long exposures, further enhancing the quality of your night photography.
Night Sky Apps
Thorough planning is critical to maximizing success in night sky photography. Tools like PhotoPills and Dark Sky apps can significantly enhance your preparation. These apps offer features such as augmented reality views, celestial event forecasts, moon phase calendars, and light pollution maps. They help you scout locations, anticipate optimal shooting conditions, and plan your compositions with precision. Always scout your locations during daylight hours to ensure safety and address logistical considerations. Learn more about these apps click here.
Arches National Park, Utah
Best Times to Photograph the Milky Way
The ideal time to photograph the Milky Way changes throughout the year, particularly when the galactic core is visible:
April & May: The Milky Way is visible in the early morning, lying horizontally, making it perfect for capturing its arch.
June & July: The Milky Way appears diagonally higher in the sky and is visible around midnight.
August & September: The Milky Way becomes more vertical each day, visible in the evening, with the core appearing earlier as the months progress.
Aurora Borealis with the moon, Alaska