Cost-effective solutions for photographing aurora borealis for research purposes

A study led by Japanese researchers presents a novel solution for photographing aurora borealis. Instead of a single camera, the system utilises several cameras, enabling separate systems for photographing each of the main tones of aurora borealis.

The study indicated that a solution based on the use of several commercial cameras is particularly useful for photographing the blue tones of aurora borealis. However, photographing green northern lights is difficult as the variations in their intensity are excessive in relation to the performance of the cameras used.

Further information:

Head of Group Kirsti Kauristie, Finnish Meteorological Institute, tel. +358 50 597 8874, kirsti.kauristie@fmi.fi

Ogawa et al. (23 co-authors): Development of low-cost multi-wavelength imager system for studies of aurora and airglow, Polar Science 23 (2020), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polar.2019.100501.