The Northern Lights, scientific name aurora borealis, are captivating skywatchers across the United States this week due to heightened solar activity.
However, experts have confirmed that the phenomenon will not be visible as far south as North Texas. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has extended a geomagnetic storm watch through April 17, with the auroras expected to be visible in northern states such as Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
Despite the excitement surrounding this rare celestial event, Texans will have to wait for a stronger geomagnetic storm to bring the lights closer to home.
For those in regions where the Northern Lights are visible, capturing the event on a cell phone camera requires specific settings to ensure the best results. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Use Night Mode: Most modern smartphones have a night mode feature that enhances low-light photography. Activate this mode before taking photos.
2. Turn Off Flash: The flash can interfere with the natural glow of the auroras. Ensure it is disabled.
3. Adjust Exposure: Increase the exposure time to allow more light to enter the camera sensor. This can be done manually in the camera settings.
4. Use a Tripod: To avoid blurry images, stabilize your phone with a tripod or place it on a steady surface.
5. Focus Manually: Set the focus to infinity to capture distant objects like the auroras clearly.
6. Choose a Wide-Angle Lens: If your phone has multiple lenses, opt for the wide-angle lens to capture more of the sky.
7. Edit Post-Capture: Use photo editing apps to enhance the colors and brightness of your images after capturing them.
While Dallas residents may not witness the Northern Lights this time, the ongoing solar maximum phase promises more opportunities for aurora displays in the coming months. Keep an eye on NOAA’s aurora forecast for updates on future events.
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