Photographer urges Brits to turn on specific iPhone setting if they want to capture Northern Lights tonight
A professional photographer has revealed what iPhone setting you should use if you want to capture some nice snaps of the Northern Lights this evening (11 May).
I mean, if it's not on your Instagram stories, did it really happen?
As I'm sure you've heard, the aurora borealis lit up the sky in Britain last night (10 May) as thousands flocked to social media to share jaw-dropping images of the rare sight.
Thankfully, if you missed last night's Northern Lights, then you'll get another chance this evening (11 May).
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Why are the Northern Lights visible in the UK?
It's the combination of clear skies and enhanced activity from the sun reaching Earth which make the colourful display visible from earth.
Visibility increased on Friday due to the strongest level of a geomagnetic storm, which hit us on Thursday (9 May) and could affect communications, GPS and power grids.
The G5 geomagnetic storm happened to take place due to of a 'large' sunspot cluster that's 17 times the diameter of earth.
And the reason why we get different colours is due to the different gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
As the gases are energised by the charged particles, we get nitrogen that emits purple, blue and pink colours, while oxygen emits green.
When’s the best time to see the Northern Lights tonight?
The best time to spot the Northern Lights will be between 10.00pm and 2.00am in the UK.
Unfortunately the window is pretty short due to the shorter nights with the warmer weather.
What are the best iPhone camera settings?
According to a Newcastle-based photographer - who goes by the name Wil Photography (@wil_photography) - there are some camera settings changes you can make to improve picture quality.
"If your phone has night mode simply use that and either use a tripod or lean it against something for 10-15 seconds exposure, click on screen to focus on distant bright star and that should work," he said on a post on Facebook.
"If not then download an app called nightcap camera for iPhone or Open camera for Android.
"With settings - iso 2000 lowest number for f and shutter speed around 10 seconds, again using a tripod, make sure you focus on a distant bright star."
What are the best settings for an actual camera?
"Camera on manual mode and manual focus, take off image stabilisation/vibration control, place camera on tripod, focus manually onto a distant star," the photographer wrote.
"Settings to start with iso 3200, shutter speed 10 seconds, aperture as wide as your lens can go (f2.8 etc).
"Use the widest lens you have so you can have longer shutter speeds - 14mm , 20mm 24mm etc.
"If you don’t have a fast lens, then ramp up your iso, do not increase your shutter speed beyond 10 seconds as you will get star trails using a 35mm lens and above."
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights tonight?
ITV News meteorologist and weather presenter Chris Page said: "Activity is expected to slowly decline, however there is a good chance (cloud permitting) you’ll be able to see it again tonight."
Krista Hammond, the Met Office’s space weather manager, added: “Aurora visibility may persist through Saturday night, but as it stands this is likely to be less widespread than on Friday night with northern parts of the UK most likely to continue to have the best viewing potential.”
Sadly, it seems that those in the south of England who saw the aurora last night might not have a good enough view this evening.
Brits located in the north are best placed if the weather doesn't let us down.
Anish Vij