Aurora Borealis Alert: Northern Lights Expected April 1-2, How to Take Great Photos

A solar flare is hitting the Earth this week and that means the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, may appear in London, Washington, Oregon, New Jersey, and New York. Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

Aurora Borealis may be seen late April 1 or on April 2 if you live at a high latitude, reports SpaceWeather.com. 

Coronal mass ejections from a solar flare on Saturday are not headed directly at the Earth, but they may “rattle Earth’s magnetic field and possibly spark auroras,” according to Space Weather. 

How to Take Awesome Aurora Borealis Photos

1. It’s important to keep the camera very steady. Using a tripod is best. Your hand is bound to move a bit when you take the photo. 

2. Put it on a timer-delay or use a remote, again to avoid shaking the camera when you press the button to take the photo. 

3. If you have streetlights or any other light source to contend with, try blocking it with your hand. Ideally, you should go somewhere without light. 

4. A snowy landscape provides a good effect by reflecting the Borealis light. 

5. Between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. is generally the best time to catch Borealis activity.

6. Plan to spend a good deal of time viewing to get the best shot. 

Enjoy!