First Aurora

Last night saw AuroraWatch UK declare an amber alert¹ so armed with my trusty Sony NEX-6 with Beth's Samyang 12mm f/2 lens mounted on it, and a new carbon fibre tripod and an IR remote shutter release (yes, more new toys) we headed out to the nearest point with a clear view over the Moray Firth, which is only a short walk away.

And there it was, my first aurora. Not much of a one mind you: that's a 30s exposure at f/2.8 ISO 400 and even then I've had to faff with the levels a bit in post. The sky glow dominates but you can clearly see the band of green under it.

I couldn't see it at all with the naked eye but Beth acted as my spotter with her Sony shooting 4s exposures at high ISO just to confirm it was there.

1. "Aurora is likely to be visible by eye from Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland; possibly visible from elsewhere in the UK. Photographs of aurora are likely from anywhere in the UK. Viewing aurora requires clear, dark skies away from light pollution."