iPhone settings you must turn on to increase your chance of capturing Northern Lights this weekend
If you've woken up to seeing stunning photos of the Northern Lights on social media or in your group chats, your eyes aren't deceiving you.
For the second time since May this year, the stunning natural phenomenon can be witnessed across the skies in the UK and some parts of Europe.
The Met Office posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a 'coronal mass ejection' from the sun is bound for Earth, making the Northern Lights, also referred to as the Aurora Borealis, viewable in some northern parties of the world.
That's why your social media feed is now full of non-stop photos of the natural light show, with everything from your mum to your neighbour trying out their makeshift photography skills.
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If you're eager to try your hand at taking your own stunning photos while you still can, luckily you don't need a fancy DSLR camera. You can take stunning photos of the Northern Lights simply using your iPhone, if you have an iPhone 11 and up.
However, for the best results, we recommend taking Night Mode out for a spin.
How to turn on Night Mode on iPhone
To turn on Night Mode on your Apple iPhone, simply follow the steps below:
- Open up the Camera App
- Navigate to & select Night mode icon
- Adjust the exposure time to its maximum
Your iPhone's 'Night Mode' is tucked away in the camera app itself. When enabled, this mode automatically detects low light environments and helps take the most optimal photo even in the worst lighting conditions.
If you're struggling to find the mode itself, it's represented by a yellow moon icon.
When adjusting the Night Modes settings, setting the exposure time to its maximum will allow your iPhone to capture more light and movement of the Northern Lights.
It's worth noting that, while you also need at least an iPhone 11 or a newer model, we also recommend having ensuring you have a tripod at your disposal.
Any shaky hands, with your exposure settings set to their maximum, can affect the quality of your photos. If you want those perfectly lit images you've seen clogging up your Instagram feed, you want to ensure you're as still as possible.
Your iPhone may be up and ready, but capturing the Northern Lights still depends on where and when.
If you're UK based, the best times to capture the natural light show have likely already come and gone. However, Stephen Dixon, the Met Office spokesman, explained to the PA news agency that there's a 'further chance of residual viewings' over the weekend.
It's likely this will best viewed in Scotland. So if you're based up in the north, get your iPhone at the ready.