Your Complete Aurora Viewing Checklist
Don't let poor preparation ruin your once-in-a-lifetime northern lights experience. This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to do before, during, and after your aurora hunt—from location scouting and equipment prep to camera settings and safety considerations.
How to Use This Checklist: Start 1-2 weeks before your trip with the "Pre-Trip Planning" section. Check off items as you complete them. On the day of viewing, use the "Day-Of Checklist" to ensure you're fully prepared before heading out.
Pre-Trip Planning (1-2 Weeks Before)
📍 Location Scouting
Identify 3-5 viewing locations
Essential
Research and mark multiple dark-sky locations on Google Maps. Have backups in case of clouds or light pollution. Look for spots 30+ km from cities.
Verify northern horizon visibility
Essential
Use Google Street View or visit in person to confirm clear views to the north. Check for trees, mountains, or buildings that might block low auroras.
Check light pollution maps
Essential
Use DarkSiteFinder.com or LightPollutionMap.info to find Bortle Class 1-3 locations (darkest skies). Avoid orange/red zones on the map.
Test drive routes during daylight
Recommended
Drive to your planned locations during the day to check road conditions, find parking, and identify hazards you might miss at night.
Download offline maps
Essential
Save Google Maps offline areas for all viewing locations. Cell service is often poor in remote areas. Pin exact coordinates of viewing spots.
Research foreground elements
Optional
For photographers: Find interesting foregrounds like churches, trees, lakes, or mountains. Scout compositions using PhotoPills or The Photographer's Ephemeris.
📱 Forecast & Alert Setup
Install aurora forecast apps
Essential
Download Northern Lights Tracker, My Aurora Forecast, or Aurora Alerts. Enable push notifications for your latitude (KP threshold).
Bookmark NOAA Space Weather
Essential
Save swpc.noaa.gov to your browser. Check the 3-day KP forecast, 30-minute aurora oval, and real-time solar wind data daily.
Configure custom KP alerts
Recommended
Set alerts for KP ≥ 3 (if above 65°N) or KP ≥ 5 (if between 55-65°N). Higher thresholds for lower latitudes prevent false alarms.
Join aurora alert communities
Optional
Follow aurora Facebook groups, Reddit r/Auroraporn, or local aurora Telegram/WhatsApp groups for real-time sighting reports.
📷 Camera & Equipment Prep
Test camera in manual mode
Essential
Practice shooting in full manual (M mode) at night. Test focus, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed controls. Ensure you can operate camera with gloves.
Charge all batteries (2-3x extras)
Essential
Cold drains batteries fast. Bring 3-4 fully charged camera batteries. Keep spares in inner jacket pocket (body heat keeps them warm).
Format memory cards
Essential
Start with empty, freshly formatted high-speed cards (64GB+ recommended). Bring 2-3 backup cards. RAW files are large—budget 50-100MB per image.
Clean lens and check for dust
Recommended
Dust spots ruin long exposures. Clean lens with microfiber cloth. Check sensor for dust spots using a white wall test.
Test tripod stability
Essential
Set up tripod and test stability with camera attached. Practice extending legs and adjusting head. Ensure it can support camera weight for 15-30 second exposures.
Bring remote shutter or use timer
Recommended
Avoid camera shake from pressing shutter. Use remote release, intervalometer, or 2-second self-timer. Test functionality before trip.
Pack lens warmer or hand warmers
Optional
Prevent lens fogging and frost. USB lens warmers or chemical hand warmers wrapped around lens with rubber bands work well.
Packing List - What to Bring
🎒 Essential Gear
- Camera with manual mode
- Wide-angle lens (14-24mm)
- Sturdy tripod
- 3-4 fully charged batteries
- 64GB+ memory cards (2-3)
- Remote shutter release
- Headlamp (red light mode)
- Fully charged smartphone
- Portable power bank (20,000mAh+)
❄️ Cold Weather Clothing
- Thermal base layers (top/bottom)
- Insulated mid-layer (fleece/down)
- Waterproof outer shell
- Insulated winter boots
- Warm hat covering ears
- Insulated gloves + thin liners
- Neck gaiter or scarf
- Hand/toe warmers (chemical)
- Extra wool socks
☕ Comfort & Safety
- Thermos with hot drinks
- High-energy snacks
- Insulated blanket or sleeping bag
- Folding chair (optional)
- First aid kit
- Emergency whistle
- Backup flashlight
- Car emergency kit
- Full tank of gas
📸 Photography Accessories
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Lens warmers (anti-fog)
- Spare lens cap
- Gaffer tape (tripod fixes)
- Star tracker (advanced)
- Neutral density filter (optional)
- Bubble level (tripod leveling)
- Intervalometer (timelapse)
Day-Of Checklist (Before You Leave)
4-6 Hours Before Sunset
Check Forecasts
- Verify KP index forecast (target KP ≥ 3)
- Check cloud cover forecast (<30% clouds ideal)
- Review weather.com hourly forecast for viewing window (10 PM - 2 AM)
- Confirm moon phase (new moon = darkest skies)
2-3 Hours Before Sunset
Final Preparations
- Charge all devices to 100%
- Pack car with all gear (use checklist above)
- Eat a warm meal
- Fill thermos with hot coffee/tea/cocoa
- Put on base layers and prepare winter clothing
- Tell someone where you're going and when you'll return
30 Minutes Before Departure
Final Checks
- Check real-time solar wind data (ACE satellite)
- Verify Bz direction (south = good, north = bad)
- Confirm cloud cover at viewing location (satellite imagery)
- Set navigation to first viewing spot
- Ensure emergency supplies in car (blanket, water, snacks)
- Double-check camera batteries and memory cards
Upon Arrival at Location
Setup & Preparation
- Park safely off road with hazards on if needed
- Let eyes adjust to darkness (15-20 minutes)
- Set up tripod on stable ground
- Compose shot with interesting foreground
- Focus to infinity using Live View on bright star
- Set camera: Manual mode, f/1.4-2.8, ISO 1600-3200, 10-25s shutter
- Take test shot and adjust settings
- Switch lens to manual focus (tape down if needed)
During Aurora Display
Capture & Enjoy
- Monitor real-time KP and Bz every 15-30 minutes
- Adjust camera settings as aurora intensity changes
- Bright auroras: Lower ISO, faster shutter (3-10s)
- Faint auroras: Higher ISO (6400), longer shutter (20-30s)
- Review images and adjust exposure
- Take breaks to simply watch and enjoy
- Stay warm—rotate between car and outside
- If clouds arrive, relocate to backup location
Camera Settings Quick Reference
📸 Recommended Settings
For Bright, Fast-Moving Auroras (KP 5+)
- Mode: Manual (M)
- Aperture: f/1.4 - f/2.8 (widest possible)
- ISO: 800 - 1600
- Shutter Speed: 3-10 seconds
- Focus: Manual focus on infinity (∞)
- White Balance: 3500-4000K or Auto
For Faint, Slow-Moving Auroras (KP 2-4)
- Mode: Manual (M)
- Aperture: f/1.4 - f/2.0 (widest possible)
- ISO: 3200 - 6400
- Shutter Speed: 15-25 seconds
- Focus: Manual focus on infinity (∞)
- White Balance: 3200K or Daylight
Pro Tip: Shoot in RAW format for maximum editing flexibility. Take multiple shots at different exposures (bracketing) to ensure perfect exposure.
Safety Considerations
⚠️ Weather Hazards
- Check wind chill—feels-like temps below -30°C are dangerous
- Watch for frostbite signs (numbness, white skin)
- Return to car every 30-45 minutes to warm up
- Never ignore cold warning signs
🚗 Road Safety
- Drive slowly on icy roads
- Park completely off roadway
- Keep headlights off when others are shooting
- Maintain full gas tank (cold drains fuel)
🐻 Wildlife Awareness
- In Alaska/Canada: carry bear spray
- Make noise when walking in wilderness
- Never approach wildlife for photos
- Keep food secured in vehicle
📱 Communication
- Share location with family/friends
- Set expected return time
- Bring satellite communicator if going remote
- Download offline maps before departure
⚠️ Hypothermia Warning: Temperatures below -20°C (-4°F) can cause frostbite in under 30 minutes. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If you or a companion show these signs, seek warmth immediately and consider medical attention.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to disable autofocus: Switch lens to MF after focusing to infinity
- Ignoring cloud forecasts: Perfect KP means nothing if clouds block the view
- Dressing too lightly: You'll be standing still for hours in sub-zero temps
- Using smartphone only: Phones capture auroras but dedicated cameras produce far better results
- Staying in one location: Be ready to drive 30-60 minutes to find clear skies
- Giving up too early: Auroras can appear suddenly—stay out for 2-3 hours minimum
- Not checking Bz direction: High KP doesn't guarantee auroras if Bz is northward
- Leaving batteries in cold camera: Keep spares warm in jacket pocket
- Forgetting to enjoy the moment: Put camera down occasionally and just watch!
After Your Aurora Hunt
- Back up photos immediately: Copy RAW files to computer and cloud storage
- Review images and metadata: Note successful settings for future trips
- Clean and dry gear: Wipe down camera/lens, remove batteries to prevent condensation damage
- Recharge all batteries: Prepare for next opportunity
- Share your experience: Post photos to aurora communities, help others plan
- Log the event: Note KP level, location, time, and conditions in a journal
Success Rate Booster: Aurora hunters who follow this checklist report 3-4x higher success rates than casual viewers. Preparation eliminates 90% of common problems that ruin aurora viewing experiences.