Witnessing the Aurora Borealis from the UK: A Spectacular Encounter
In the vast canopy of celestial wonders, few phenomena rival the enchanting dance of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. Recently, I was treated to the most stunning display of this natural marvel over the United Kingdom in over two decades. The space weather event, triggered by at least four powerful coronal mass ejections (C.M.E's) from the Sun, unfolded a breathtaking panorama across our skies, leaving me utterly awestruck.
Unfortunately, I found myself unable to venture far to witness this cosmic spectacle firsthand. However, fate intervened on my journey home when I caught a glimpse of an unusual green hue shimmering in the distance - a sight so extraordinary that it beckoned me closer. Just a mere five miles from home, my curiosity piqued, I hastily gathered my camera gear and embarked on a quest to capture this ethereal phenomenon just a mere 5 miles from home.
Yet, as if choreographed by some celestial artist, the scene suddenly transformed before my very eyes. Subtle shades of red began intertwining with the verdant emerald tones above me, crafting an otherworldly spectacle that defied description. With bated breath, I aimed my camera skyward and started clicking, each frame preserving a fragment of this celestial ballet.
As an amateur astrophotographer, I found myself experimenting with camera settings, improvising with the tools at hand to encapsulate the grandeur unfolding overhead. Though lacking a lens with a low aperture for wider angles, I made do with my Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM lens set at its widest, meticulously adjusting white balance and honing manual focus on a distant beacon of light.
The experience of witnessing the majestic Northern Lights just a stone's throw away from my home is one that will forever be etched into my memory - an item effortlessly checked off my bucket list.
To see the complete spectacle, simply click on the images!
For those aspiring to capture the beauty of the Aurora Borealis, allow me to share some basic settings that guided my photographic journey:
Aperture:Â Opt for the widest aperture available in your lens, ideally f/2.8 or lower, to maximise light intake and minimise digital noise. (These images I took with an f/4)
ISO:Â Adjust ISO settings between 3200 to 8000, depending on your camera model and prevailing light conditions.
Shutter Speed:Â Set shutter speeds between 1 to 12 seconds, adjusting according to the intensity and movement of the Aurora.
White Balance:Â Manually set white balance around 3500K for natural colour rendition.
Focus:Â Achieve precise manual focus on a distant light source to ensure sharpness and clarity in your images.
General Camera Settings:Â Fine-tune settings such as screen brightness, shoot in RAW format, and disable long exposure noise reduction for optimal results.
Shutter Delay:Â Employ a 2-second shutter delay to minimise vibrations and ensure sharpness.
Histogram:Â Regularly check the histogram to ensure correct exposure and avoid clipping highlights.
In the grand tapestry of the cosmos, the Aurora Borealis stands as a testament to the beauty and wonder of our universe—a fleeting yet profound reminder of the majesty that lies beyond our earthly confines. As we gaze skyward, let us marvel at the dance of lights that transcends borders and connects us all under the vast canopy of the night sky. Equipment used in this session:
Backpack - Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II Backpack
Wide angle lens - Â Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM
Travel lens - Â Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS II USM Lens
Ballhead - Manfrotto XPRO Ball Head with Top Lock
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