The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is one of nature's most stunning spectacles. Watching these shimmering colors dance across the sky is a breathtaking experience, but spending extended hours outdoors in the cold, often while looking up at the sky, presents unique challenges. Not only do you need to care for your eyes, but your equipment, such as cameras and telescopes, requires special attention too. In this blog, we will explore the best practices for protecting both your eyes and your gear while enjoying an extended Aurora Borealis viewing session.
1. Protecting Your Eyes from Brightness and Cold
While the Aurora Borealis is mesmerizing, staring at the intense light displays for long periods can strain your eyes. Additionally, the cold conditions of many aurora viewing locations can cause discomfort or damage to your eyes. Here's how to protect your vision:
Use Red Light for Night Vision
When you're stargazing or watching the Aurora Borealis, it's important to maintain your night vision. White light can ruin your ability to see in the dark, making it harder to spot the auroras and any other celestial objects.
- Use a Red Light Torch: Red light is less harsh on your eyes and preserves night vision, allowing you to comfortably adjust to the surroundings. Many headlamps come with a red filter option.
- Use a Red Filter for Your Phone: If you need to use your phone to check your app or photos, consider a red filter or a dedicated night mode. Some apps are specifically designed to preserve your night vision while still being functional.
Take Regular Breaks
Staring at the auroras for hours can lead to eye fatigue, especially since your pupils are dilated to adapt to the darkness. To avoid straining your eyes:
- Take 10-Minute Breaks Every Hour: Look away from the aurora and focus on distant objects. This gives your eyes a chance to relax and reset.
Wear Protective Eyewear in Extreme Conditions
If you're in an area where the auroras are particularly bright or if you're also watching the sky with a telescope, consider wearing sunglasses or UV-protective eyewear when looking at the auroras for extended periods. In extreme cases, such as near highly reflective surfaces (snow, ice), the light can cause discomfort or temporary vision problems. Protective eyewear reduces this risk.
2. Caring for Your Equipment in Harsh Conditions
Watching the aurora often means braving the cold, and your camera equipment, binoculars, or telescopes can be vulnerable to freezing temperatures, moisture, and condensation. Taking good care of your gear is essential to ensure it continues to function properly.
Keep Your Gear Warm
Cold weather is one of the biggest threats to your equipment, especially cameras and batteries. Here are a few tips for preventing damage:
- Use a Camera or Lens Warmer: Invest in small warming devices for your camera body and lens. These help prevent condensation from forming when you move between warm and cold areas.
- Store Gear in a Bag: Keep your equipment inside a camera bag when not in use. This helps trap warmth and protects it from the cold air. Avoid leaving your camera exposed for long periods.
- Use Insulated Tripods: Cold tripods can also freeze and may be difficult to adjust, so look for models that have insulation or rubber coatings for ease of handling in freezing conditions.
Preventing Lens Fogging
Lens fogging is a common issue in cold environments when the temperature difference between the air and your equipment causes moisture to form on the lens surface. Here's how to avoid it:
- Use Anti-Fog Wipes: Keep anti-fog wipes or a microfiber cloth handy to gently clean your lenses before you start shooting.
- Store Your Camera in a Sealed Plastic Bag: When transitioning from a cold to a warmer environment (or vice versa), place your camera in a sealed plastic bag. This will help prevent the lens from fogging due to condensation as the equipment adjusts to the temperature.
Avoid Touching Your Equipment with Cold Hands
In freezing temperatures, your hands can become numb, which makes it harder to handle your gear with precision. Touching cold lenses or metal parts with bare hands can cause moisture or oils from your skin to transfer onto the equipment. To minimize the risk:
- Wear Gloves: Look for gloves that are thin enough to let you operate your camera or telescope but still warm enough to protect your hands. Touchscreen-friendly gloves are a great option for checking apps or taking photos without exposing your skin to the cold.
- Keep Your Hands Dry: Wet or damp gloves can also lead to condensation on your equipment, so try to keep your hands dry when operating your gear.
3. Adjusting Your Settings for Aurora Photography
If you're using a camera to capture the auroras, it's important to adjust your settings to account for the low-light conditions and ensure your photos are as clear as possible. Here are some tips to get the most out of your aurora shots:
Use a Tripod for Stability
To avoid blurry images due to camera shake, always use a sturdy tripod. Long exposure times (several seconds or longer) are often necessary to capture the beauty of the aurora, and a tripod is essential for maintaining stability.
Adjust Your Camera's ISO
When photographing the aurora, the low-light conditions can lead to grainy images if the ISO is too high. Try setting your ISO between 800 and 1600, depending on your camera's capabilities. This will allow you to capture enough light without introducing too much noise.
Set a Wide Aperture
A wide aperture (f/2.8 to f/5.6) allows more light to reach the camera sensor, making it easier to capture the auroras without increasing your ISO too much. A wide aperture also provides a shallow depth of field, which is ideal for capturing the colorful details of the auroras.
Use Long Exposure Times
For the best results, use long exposure times (15 to 30 seconds), but make sure to experiment to avoid overexposure. Long exposures will help capture the movement and color of the auroras, producing vibrant and stunning images.
4. Preparing for Extended Viewing
Aurora Borealis watching can take hours, and it's important to be prepared for an extended stay outdoors in potentially harsh conditions. Here's how to make your experience as comfortable and safe as possible:
Dress Warmly and Layer Up
Dress in layers to protect against the cold. A combination of moisture-wicking base layers, insulating middle layers, and waterproof outer layers will keep you warm and dry. Don't forget a hat, gloves, and thick socks.
Bring Snacks and Hydration
Staying outside for hours means you'll need to stay hydrated and keep your energy up. Bring thermoses filled with warm drinks and high-energy snacks like nuts or energy bars. Avoid alcohol, as it can cause you to lose heat more quickly.
Use a Comfortable Chair or Blanket
If you're going to be sitting for long periods, a comfortable chair or blanket will make your experience more enjoyable. Insulated cushions can help keep you warm when sitting on the ground.
Conclusion
Watching the Aurora Borealis is an awe-inspiring experience that requires some preparation to fully enjoy. By following these best practices for protecting your eyes and equipment, you can ensure a safe, comfortable, and successful aurora viewing session. Whether you're photographing the lights, enjoying them with the naked eye, or tracking the auroras with binoculars, taking the necessary precautions will make your time under the northern lights more memorable and enjoyable.