MINNEAPOLIS — The skies over Minnesota, and a big part of the country, have been lit up this weekend as the Northern Lights put on an amazing display.
From coast to coast, even folks across the pond have been treated to a stunning array of blues, purples and greens.
On Sunday night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that Minnesota may be able to see them again.
So if you're grabbing a camera and heading out to snap a few pictures, how can you make sure to get the best "bang for your buck" from these rare events?
Use a tripod
According to National Geographic, if you plan to use either a phone or a camera, grab a tripod. Usually, a long, steady shot is required to capture the Northern Lights and if you move even a tiny bit the shot can come out blurry.
Ideally, pair the tripod with a remote trigger or timer. Then you won't have to worry about any shaking when you snap the shot.
Try a wide-angle lens
If you are using a camera with a lens you can change, use the widest-angle lens possible. This allows you to capture as much sky as possible, from horizon to horizon if you're using a truly wide-angle.
If you're taking pictures with a phone, hold it sideways to capture all the colors at the edges of the auroras.
Use 'Night Mode' with an iPhone
If you're using an iPhone 13 or newer, you can simply go into your phone camera settings to turn on this low-light feature. You can then tweak the exposure time to maximize the potential of your shot.
Access the hidden settings menu in the iPhone's camera app by tapping the top arrow. Locate the Night Mode icon and adjust the exposure time slider to the maximum, typically 30 seconds if you're using a tripod. This extended exposure time allows your iPhone to capture the full brilliance of the Northern Lights.
Viewer Tamie Steffen Hornstein, who posted the photo attached to this article in the That's So Minnesota Facebook group echoed all these tips, also recommends setting your camera to the highest ISO value possible when heading out to capture the Northern Lights.
PHOTOS: The Northern Lights in May
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