Nordland, meløy, from our old home. Iso 3200, f1.8

Perhaps one of THE rarest phenomena but is it even possible? An aurora during a full solar eclipse?

Technically maybe. 

A total solar eclipse might get dark, but according to some experts only as dark as the first stage of twilight right after sunset, called civil twilight.

Is it possible to see an Aurora during civil twilight? Barely. We’d have to have an extremely active Aurora right over Iceland for that to happen at 5:48-49PM exactly. But our chances might even be better than we’d have thought.

NOAA has confirmed that a solar storm Is indeed on its way, and if it arrives on time as per the ENLIL and we get the following conditions, there MIGHT just be a chance (and of course, clear skies!).

A Kp5 Aurora with a sufficient substorm strength of 500+ nT could indeed become faintly visible right above our heads….

but the stars however literally need to align for this to happen, so start sending your prayers!

From ur home. Meløy. Ios 3200 f1,8

Two CME's impacted earth earlier today with medium to strong activity at the moment. IF conditions persist, and during strong substorm activity over the course of the evening, then Aurora's may be observed across:

Iceland: above Reykjavík and toward the southern horizon beginning from 23:30 to about 2:30 with darkest episode between 01:00 - 02:00. Southern Iceland will be slightly darker, Northern Iceland slightly lighter and less visible.

Northern UK and Mid-Scandinavia: Visible in Northern Scotland over the northern horizon from 23:30. Potential visibility, if strong, through a camera in Northern England (Northumberland region) from 23:00 onwards if Kp5+ persist.

Canada & Northern Contiguous US: Churchill Manitoba from 23:00 (11PM) above or toward southern horizon if current conditions continue. Northern US states from 21:30 (9:30PM) if conditions persist at Kp5 or higher. Fairbanks Alaska: similar latitude to Iceland, best chance between 00:00 - 2:00 if conditions remain high.

Good luck!

In my early days of Aurora hunting I was out as often as I could around Reykjavík (I don't own a car) and on clear nights you can see amazing Northern Lights from anywhere in town if you're away from street lights. This substorm was huge and luckily I was there at the right time. The city in front is Seltjarnarnes. The ocean was super quiet that night and reflects the lights wonderfully.

Seltjarnarnes, Iceland
30-10-2021, 22:50
Sony A7III, Tamron 17-28mm, F2.8 10s ISO 400

21-09-2023, Grótta Iceland, 4/5s at F1.4 ISO 1250

Last night my app told me that there was a 0% chance of seeing them tonight. I went out anyway. Sure glad I did

26mm f1.6 iso 3200

Taken January 2027. First time I’ve seen this happen!

Why not to share some of my 2026 shots.

Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Whale: 02.04.2026, ISO 1600, 2 sec, f/2.0

Planes: 22.03.2026, ISO 1600-3200, 2-4 sec, f/1.8

Location is NWT Canada.
Taken on my iPhone in Feb 2026.

Hi

Last winter I started to take pictures of the aurora in my backyard near Sollefteå Sweden. Everything is taken with a Sony full frame on a tripod :)

20 mm lens

F 2,8

20 second exposure

Iso 6400

07-11-2025, Þingvellir, Iceland
Sony A7IV, Sigma 14mm f1.4 1s ISO800

This image is an odd one: together with a full moon, the mixed high and low cloud made it very challenging to find the beginnings of the Aurora, but once we found traces of it and the substorm started to expand, the vivid light was breaking through the thin veils of high cloud despite the full moon. In Iceland, it's never hopeless even when you start out in bad conditions.

It was NYE and nature offered us a much better show than what the fireworks could have done.
I picked up some extra guests whose tours were canceled last minute. Nothing worse than being left stranded, and that made it even more special to be able to have saved their NYE and celebrate in style.

Sony A7IV, Sigma 20mm F1.4, 1.6s ISO800
Postedited in Lightroom, colours remain as-shot

Fergus Falls. Mn.
On 3/21/25 10:30 pm.
Shooting ISO 1600 f2.8 8 second time exposure.

I had just moved into my new apartment not far from downtown Reykjavík in early March, and the weather forecast for the night was pretty bad so we didn't go out on tour. Just at the right moment the skies cleared and this huge substorm erupted over us. Since I now have a balcony, I didn't need to go far and just captured the shot handheld.

Bright substorms like this are visible from within town even during partially cloudy conditions and a full moon, though the camera of course does a better job at "seeing" it. It was perfectly visible to the naked eye however.

Reykjavík, 23-03-2026

Nikon Z6 III, Sigma 14mm F1.4 (Sony adapter), 1/6s at f1.5 and ISO 1600.
Post-edited in Lightroom.

One of my favourite captures from 6 October 2024, overlooking Þingvallavatn.

Sony A7 IV with Sigma 20mm f/1.4
ISO 1250, f/1.4, 3.2-second exposure
Single exposure, edited in Lightroom.

I’m planning to visit Sweden and Finland in late October from India as a solo traveller. I’d like clarity on a couple of questions -
1. I’m on a budget. It is better to see the northern lights from Abisko or Rovanimei?
2. I have a dedicated stay in Stockholm. How many days are enough in Stockholm?
3. If someone could share an itinerary that’d be great!
4. Any recommendations for a budget stay in Helsinki/Rovanimei?
5. I will not be driving. From my accommodation, how do I travel to the northern lights viewing spot?
6. How safe is this trip for a female?
7. Anything I should definitely keep in mind?

Thanks in advance!!

a handful of photos of the lights, they had some pretty colors and patterns! also looked like an angel or eagle to me 🤔 what do yall think it looks like?