Missouri and Illinois residents are being treated to a rare spectacle this week as powerful geomagnetic storms light up skies across the state with the aurora borealis \u2014 more commonly known as the northern lights.<\/p>\n
A geomagnetic storm<\/a> happens when charged particles from the sun\u2019s atmosphere collide with Earth\u2019s magnetic field. In addition to creating dazzling curtains of color<\/a>, these storms can disrupt technology on Earth<\/a>, from satellites and GPS systems to radio communications and the power grid.<\/p>\n On Tuesday night, the skies glowed with ribbons of pink and green \u2014 more easily visible in rural areas than cities like St. Louis and Kansas City. The colorful show stems from coronal mass ejections<\/a>, massive bursts of plasma and magnetic energy from the sun\u2019s outer atmosphere that expand as they race toward Earth.<\/p>\n There is another chance to catch the display is expected Wednesday night, but it may not be visible with the naked eye. The best views of the aurora borealis are generally best visible just after sunset<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re hoping to photograph the aurora in Missouri and Illinois, here are a few tips for documenting the celestial scene:<\/p>\n LocationTravel: Light pollution can make photographing the night sky tricky. If you can, drive away from city lights and find an area with a clear view facing true north \u2014 that\u2019s where the aurora is most visible.Framing: Try to include a familiar landmark or object in the foreground to make your photo unique to your community.Equipment<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need a professional camera setup to make stunning photos.<\/p>\n With a phone: Turn off your flash and turn on \u201cnight mode.\u201dStabilize: Keep your camera steady \u2014 rest it on a tripod, fence or solid surface. Using a timer for the shutter helps avoid shake.Clean your lens: A soft microfiber cloth can make all the difference.Wide angle: A wider lens will help capture more of the sky.Apps: There are several phone applications, like My Aurora Forecast & Alerts<\/a>, to help you plan your excursion.SettingsOn a camera: If you\u2019re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, try a long exposure (slow shutter speed), low ISO and wide aperture (low f-stop) \u2014 balancing those three elements is key to capturing the light that\u2019s more faint in the Midwest.File format: Make your images in RAW format if you can. It keeps more image data, giving you flexibility to edit later.Have some funEnjoy the show: Every aurora looks different. If your photos aren\u2019t turning out, take a breath and adjust. The experience itself \u2014 standing under a glowing sky with friends, family or a loved one \u2014 is as much of the magic as documenting the show.<\/p>\n