Preparing for Aurora Chasing: Lessons from My Travels

When it comes to aurora chasing, preparation is everything. Over the years, I’ve honed my process to ensure I’m always ready for whatever the night might bring. Here’s how I prepare for an aurora chase and some of the key lessons I’ve learned from my adventures under the northern lights.

It all starts with data

Chasing the aurora means keeping one eye on space weather and the other on earth weather. I track solar activity daily, monitoring data from sources like the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Understanding the stats, like solar wind speed, the IMF (interplanetary magnetic field), and the all-important Kp index has helped me anticipate auroras based on my location.

The aurora typically gives us a 2-3 day warning, as solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun take time to reach Earth. As that geomagnetic energy nears our atmosphere, we get a more precise window, about an hour’s notice, from satellites monitoring the solar wind.

Always ready to go

With such tight timelines, being prepared is crucial. I always have a ‘go bag’ packed and ready. It includes:

• Camera gear: Fully charged batteries, memory cards, lenses, and a sturdy tripod.
• Clothing layers: From merino base layers to a waterproof, windproof Gore-Tex shell.
• Essentials: A head torch with red-light mode, snacks, water, and extra gloves.

When the alert comes in, I don’t want to waste time scrambling for equipment or wondering if I’ve packed enough layers.

The unpredictability of weather

Despite the best forecasts, aurora chasing often comes down to luck. Sometimes space weather and earth weather refuse to cooperate:

• Clear skies but no aurora activity can leave you staring at a beautiful, but uneventful, starry sky.
• Amazing solar activity can align perfectly, only for thick clouds to obscure the show.

These moments can be frustrating, but they’ve taught me patience and adaptability.

Balancing day and night

One of the biggest challenges of aurora chasing is balancing a packed daytime itinerary with the demands of nighttime photography. In stunning locations, you’ll often want to capture golden hour and sunset at iconic spots, but that leaves little time to rest or refuel before nightfall.

On nights of mega aurora activity, the lights often overpower twilight, giving no gap between sunset and the aurora’s dance. Planning becomes a fine art, especially if your daytime adventures take you far from base and you need to pivot toward areas with clearer skies in the evening.

The coldest nights of my life

Aurora chasing often means braving extreme cold, especially in the winter months. My coldest aurora experience was on a frozen lake in Finland at -26°C, bundled up in merino wool, Icelandic jumpers, and boots designed for Arctic conditions. Another unforgettable (and freezing!) moment was at Gullfoss in Iceland. With the car showing -12°C, 40mph winds blowing off the glacier made the wind chill unbearable. I managed just six shots before retreating to the car, my face stinging from the icy air.

These moments have taught me the value of proper gear:

• Base layers: Merino wool for insulation and moisture-wicking.
• Mid-layers: Icelandic wool jumpers and down jackets for warmth.
• Outer layers: Waterproof and windproof shells to block out the elements.
• Accessories: Insulated boots, gloves, and balaclavas to protect extremities.

Lessons learned

• Adaptability is Key: The aurora can surprise you when you least expect it, so keep plans flexible.
• Comfort Matters: Proper clothing makes the difference between enjoying the show and cutting it short.
• Cherish the Moments: Even when conditions aren’t perfect, the aurora’s beauty makes every challenge worthwhile.

Aurora chasing has taught me so much about patience, resilience, and awe. Every trip is a new adventure, and every display of the northern lights feels like witnessing a miracle. Whether you’re braving the Arctic cold or navigating the challenges of timing, there’s nothing quite like standing under a sky that feels alive, letting it remind you of your place in the vastness of the universe.

I’ve got so much more to share about the aurora borealis and this is why I built an instant access online course, where you can learn to chase like a pro – click here to get started and be ready for the next night of mega aurora activity!