Photographing your first aurora
Start with a stable camera and a simple composition. Let the conditions guide your settings.
Keep the camera still
Use a tripod or stable support. Turn off flash and avoid headlights in other people's photographs. With a phone, try its night mode and review a test image.
Adjust rather than follow a recipe
For a camera with manual controls, use a wide aperture and test exposures of a few seconds. Reduce exposure time if the aurora moves quickly; adjust ISO to balance brightness and noise. There is no single correct setting for every display.
What the photo means
Long exposures can reveal color that your eyes barely notice. A greener photograph is not proof the display looked that way in person. Preserve accurate capture times and avoid presenting heavily edited photos as current conditions.
References & further reading
General educational guidance, not a live access report. Local access and conditions require current official checks.