How to take pictures of the Northern Lights on Android

Jorge May 12, 2024

0 99 3 minutes read

The greatest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years is hitting the Earth this weekend, and it’s main to the Northern Lights being seen in large parts of the Northern hemisphere. Here’s how to take an image of the Northern Lights utilizing a Google Pixel smartphone or different Android gadgets.

The Northern Lights – aurora borealis – are often solely seen in far north parts of the globe. They’re a consequence of photo voltaic storms passing by the Earth and the charged particles interacting with gases in the ambiance. It’s a dramatic view in the sky, and this weekend it’s seen in components of the globe that hardly ever ever see it. That contains vast parts of the United States.

Starting on May 10 and likewise occurring on May 11 – albeit not as robust – you’ll be able to search for and see aurora borealis. This will range relying on the place you reside, the stage of mild air pollution, and lots of different elements. To the bare eye, you would possibly discover some colours in the sky or a slight tint, however a digital camera can really see extra in the proper situations.

Using a long-exposure mode on your digital camera, akin to Google Pixel’s astrophotography, you’ll be able to seize the Northern Lights in a means that appears even higher than it does to the bare eye. Here’s how to do it.

To begin, you’ll want two issues. A darkish setting with minimal mild air pollution, and a tripod.

Mount your telephone to the tripod and open the digital camera app. Then, on a Pixel, swap to the “Night Sight” mode alongside the backside bar. If the Northern Lights are already clearly seen to your eye, you’ll in all probability give you the option to seize it simply utilizing Night Sight on its personal. But astrophotography can seize rather more element, and a time-lapse too.

To set off astrophotography on your Pixel, set the telephone on a tripod and guarantee it’s on a gradual floor. After a couple of seconds staying nonetheless, you’ll see a star icon (see picture above) seem on the shutter button. Gently faucet that button after which your telephone will begin the course of which might take up to 4 minutes.

Once the shot is completed, your telephone will course of the picture and export a nonetheless picture in addition to a time-lapse of the shot, which is very enjoyable for capturing the Northern Lights.

Here are a pair of pictures we captured from North Carolina throughout the first evening of the aurora borealis on May 10.

While not many different Android telephones have devoted modes for astrophotography, you’ll be able to nonetheless seize shot with commonplace evening modes. Most telephones, together with Samsung Galaxy gadgets, will swap to evening mode robotically when it’s darkish sufficient.

A superb rule of thumb can be that for those who can see the Northern Lights with the bare eye, you telephone’s commonplace evening mode can in all probability seize a picture of it too. If you’ll be able to solely barely see the aurora, you’ll doubtless want to dive right into a guide taking pictures mode and search for lengthy publicity choices.

On fashionable Samsung Galaxy gadgets, you’ll give you the option to entry long-exposure in two methods. Under the devoted “Night” mode, you’ll be able to swap from auto publicity to “Max.” Alternatively, you’ll be able to dive into the “Pro” mode and crank up the “Speed” to 5 or 6 seconds. Like with Pixel, you’ll completely want a tripod for this.

If you’ve taken or use this information to take pictures of the Northern Lights together with your Android telephone, share them in the feedback beneath!