Aurora Spotted and Moments

How does the Northern Lights report work?

You can report aurora sightings on Hello Aurora in two fast ways:

• Aurora Moment: Share a live photo report with the community. Approved photos display on the Moment feed and interactive map.
• Aurora Spotted: Skip the photo and report quick updates. Choose the light intensity you see to drop a real-time pin on the map page for nearby users.

To prevent false reports, Hello Aurora verifies local solar activity, cloud coverage and GPS coordinates before a post goes live. All temporary pins reset daily to keep live maps accurate, while top photos are highlighted in the Featured Moments wall.

How to take photo of the Northern Lights?

Modern smartphones are great at capturing Northern Lights pictures. Follow these simple steps to take clear shots:

• Lock focus: Tap and hold on a bright star to lock focal length
• Turn off flash: Disable automatic flash completely
• Use night mode: Turn on Night Mode or long exposure (2–5 seconds)
• Keep it Still: Mount your phone on a tripod or rest it on a flat surface.

Smartphones and cameras pick up faint light better than the human eye. If the sky looks dark, take a test photo to double-check for hidden activity. Most Northern Lights sightings submitted to Hello Aurora are taken directly on mobile phones. If you use a DSLR, taking a picture of your camera screen is another fun way to upload your Moment fast.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How does Hello Aurora prevent fake or outdated northern lights reports?

A: We verify real-time solar activity, cloud coverage, and your exact GPS coordinates before accepting an aurora report. Additionally, live community pins reset daily so you only see active Northern Lights sightings. Exceptional photos are permanently featured in our community gallery wall.

Q: Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights?

A: The best place to see the northern lights is anywhere inside the auroral oval with clear skies and low light pollution. Popular Nordic destinations include Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. You can track real-time cloud layers and local auroral oval positions directly on the Hello Aurora map page.

Q: How do I know when people see the Northern Lights nearby?

A: Once someone submits an aurora report in your area, Hello Aurora sends you a push notification. This gives you instant alerts on live aurora sightings so you can step outside at the right moment.