Often, people who chase the Northern Lights can become too focused on WHERE to view, not HOW to view Aurora. Little do they know, the “how” is more important.

WHERE to View Aurora

As long as you have clear and dark skies, you could see Aurora right in your backyard! This is especially true when we see some of the strongest geomagnetic activity that produces Aurora, such as the historic G5 Storm of May 10-11, ,2024.

For the first time since 2003, the activity levels for space weather impacting Earth’s atmosphere maxed out the scale, achieving a Severe Geomagnetic Storm. Aurora danced and pulsed far beyond both the north and the south pole, bringing Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis very near to the Equator.

>> WATCH: Find a Viewing Location Anywhere Using Dark Sky Maps

>> Interactive Light Pollution Map

I’m sure you want to catch an amazing view like the corona that shifted formations and rained down color overhead that night! You may be thinking where should I go? The “where” of Aurora Chasing can be fun, but during strong displays like G2 (Kp6) or higher for Michigan, the entire state has a chance. When we hit levels of G3 Storms, G4 Storms or G5 Storms, Aurora can be seen way farther south, sometimes even in metro areas despite the rampant light pollution. You don’t necessarily have to drive anywhere!

With the aide of a camera, conditions don’t even need to be that strong for you to catch the Northern Lights.

HOW to View Aurora

What’s more important than where to view Aurora is how to view Aurora. Below are a few tips that may help you catch your first sighting, or more sightings, or sightings in more challenging areas.

• Turn off all lights, indoors and out, and make all devices including car headlights, dash lights and cell phones dark.

• Let your eyes adjust to the dark for at least 3-5 whole minutes. Some people recommend staring into the dark for 30 minutes. The more acclimated you are to darkness, the more color you will see.

• Farther north is usually good for Northern Lights, and it’s always a good idea to start be looking at the northern horizon. During strong displays, look up! Look east, west and south. Look all around you!On May 10, 2024, the most powerful and colorful corona appeared to the south for Michigan around 10pm Eastern!

• Manage your expectations. Don’t go out expecting the colors you see in pop culture or photographs. Look for white or silver veils across the stars that have unusual formations and movement. At their subtle stages, this is what Aurora look like! Especially in the mid-latitudes.

• Point your camera north or up, and take a test shot. You can do this with a modern phone on night mode or long exposure. The colors or the lights may be there, even if you can’t see them!

• Wait. Wait more. Wait again. Patience is key. Aurora comes in waves, with peaks and valleys in Aurora activity. Sometimes the strongest most colorful portions have 30-60 minutes of quiet in between them.

• In general, the best times for seeing colorful lights are two hours before and after local magnetic midnight (about midnight).

• Your camera will always capture more light and color in the sky than human night vision can. Use it to your advantage as an early detection device.

• The forecasts are rarely exact and always changing. Do not make your plans based on forecast times.

• Sometimes Aurora or particularly S.T.E.V.E. put on a dazzling colorful show that only lasts 10-15 minutes. Again, manage your expectations. If you missed it, don’t give up. Keep looking.

• I often recommend devoting at least three hours to the chase if you are really serious about this.

• Move through the night with respect above all other things. Shining lights, making commotion, throwing parties — all this will probably make you miss the best part. It’s Mother Nature! Sometimes she is very soft with subtle beauty. Sometimes she puts on shockingly powerful displays of force.

Good luck, Aurora Chasers!