The aurora borealis is an enchanting occurrence that takes place when solar particles interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. These phenomena, also known as the northern lights, are best described as colourful lights dancing through the sky.
This year, we have experienced a surge of aurora borealis.
Stephen Jeans, a professor and geomorphologist, explains this is because the sun operates on an 11-year cycle of most to least activity.
“During an 11th year of the cycle of the sun, you will get tons of sunspots, which we have now,” says Jeans.
A solar max
In 2024, we reached a solar maximum, meaning more solar particles, and more northern lights. With this increased activity, photographers and sky-lovers alike have been hard at work to see and capture this event on camera.
Jeans explains that cameras see the lights better than our own eyes, especially with the influence of bright phone screens or street lights.
“One is technology, and one is biology. The biology part is us,” says Jeans. “A chemical called rhodopsin is developed on the back of your retina, and this chemical helps you see better at night, But the minute a bright light of any sort is put anywhere near your eyes, it burns it away.”
Pro tips for capturing northern lights
Naomi Atherton, a Calgary photographer, explains that with the increased auroral activity, people are disappointed when the lights are not as prominent as the photos depict.
“It started this argument of photographers over editing, when in reality, if you see the raw photo, it isn’t over-edited. It’s just that the camera showed us what our eyes can’t quite see, and a lot more vividly,” says Atherton.
So how do the professionals do it?
Atherton says desired shots are achieved best with high auroral activity, clear skies, and lots of preparation.
“That’s what you’re trying to do when you shoot Aurora, you’re trying to depict it, not necessarily how you see it to the naked eye because that is very different to how it shows up in camera. In a way, it’s capturing how you saw it, but better,” says Atherton.
