Last night nature put on a show, around the globe, with a G5 geomagnetic storm casting a wide array of Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) across Metro Vancouver. Even downtown, where the light pollution is greatest, we still got to see the purples and greens of this celestial event.
The solar storm prompted NOAA to issue a severe geomagnetic storm watch, the first watch of its kind to be issued in almost 20 years, with the last being triggered in 2005. We were seeing photos online from London, South Carolina, Alabama, and beyond.
Northern Lights in Vancouver Friday Night Photos
Usually, we’d have to head out to where there is little light pollution, such as the Dark Sky Park in Abbotsford, at Iona Beach, Burnaby Mountain, or Porteau Cove up the Sea to Sky. In previous years, some dedicated aurora photographers have snapped some streaks from Spanish Banks. Last night, however, they. were. everywhere. You didn’t even need to look to the north, there was a colourful dome on top of the city.
Aurora from Kits Beach in Vancouver tonight!!!! Ahhhhhh!! pic.twitter.com/1VTWY0Ow3K
— Mel Woods (@intothemelwoods) May 11, 2024
A long-exposure photo shows the aurora borealis in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Ben Nelms/CBC) #Auroraborealis #SolarFlare #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/a6UcF2u1T3
— Ben Nelms (@Ben_Nelms) May 11, 2024
Can We See Them Saturday Night Too?
Maybe! The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is reporting that the extreme geomagnetic storm continues and will persist through at least Sunday. If it’s similar to Friday night, you’ll see the most activity around 11:30pm once darkness has fully set in.
Photo Tips
I haven’t picked up my DSLR in years and all of my photos posted on social media are from my iPhone.
- Check the Light Pollution Map to find a dark(ish) spot you can get to.
- If you’re discouraged that you don’t see the aurora in the sky with your naked eye – don’t be! Pick up your phone or camera anyway and just snap away capturing the sky. I did this last night and once I got home to review, that’s where I found I did capture the lights.
- Long exposure is key so you let the most light into your photo. Night Mode, especially if you can control the exposure, works great.
Some of the popular spots might be very busy with traffic again so plan ahead, and be safe out there. Have fun and enjoy this spectacular, and historic, event!
Read more: Events in Vancouver This Weekend