SkyNews Aurora Watch

Wondering if an aurora is occurring tonight?
 
If a red auroral oval is overtop or near your geographical area, the aurora should be visible from your location.

Photographing an Aurora

1) With your camera on a sturdy tripod, use a wide-angle lens such as a 24mm or 28mm (50mm will suffice if that is all you have available). Zoom lenses should be used at their widest setting.

2) Digital cameras should be set, if possible, to ISO 800; otherwise, ISO 400. Those using film cameras are advised to use fast film such as Konica Centuria 800, Fuji 800 or Kodak Royal Gold 1000.

3) Set the f-stop to f2.8. With zoom lenses, set them to the lowest f-stop possible.

4) Focus at infinity (the focuser is racked all the way in).

5) Add something to the foreground of the shot for depth: a tree, house, person, your telescope, etc.

6) Using a hand-held cable release to trip the shutter, take exposures of 20 to 30 seconds each.

7) Take your best shot ,and submit it to the
SkyNews Photo of the Week contest!