Get ready for a celestial odyssey that's part myth, part tech, and all adventure! We're diving into the heart of Christchurch, chasing the elusive Aurora Australis. Picture us as the Kupe of the digital age, armed with cameras and cosmic enthusiasm.
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| 11th of May 2024 at 6:30pm |
Sailing into Mythical Waters: Kupe's Arrival in a Double Haul Boat:
Channeling Kupe, the Maori legend, we set sail in our digital Double Haul boat, navigating the cosmic expanse. Kupe's spirit of exploration? We've got it. Discovering the enchanting glow of the Aurora Australis? That's the plan.
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| 19th of April 2018 at 10:00pm |
Prime Spots to Witness the Celestial Ballet:
Christchurch and Its Surroundings:
While Christchurch may be a tad far from the celestial action, it's our launchpad to prime viewing spots. Port Hills, our celestial citadel, and Birdlings Flat, where the untamed coastline meets the cosmic ballet, are our stages for this cosmic spectacle.
Port Hills:
Perched on Port Hills, near Gibraltar Rock, we're living the high life—literally. It's Kupe's elevated perspective, minus the boat but with a killer view of the southern horizon. Tranquility away from city lights? Check. Immersive Southern Lights experience? Double-check.
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| 24th of April 2023 at 8:10PM |
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| 19th of April 2018 at 10:00pm |
Birdlings Flat:
Along the Canterbury coastline, Birdlings Flat is our hidden gem, where the cosmic dance matches Kupe's coastal explorations. Rugged terrain? Surreal charm? It's the perfect backdrop for aurora-chasing, plus there's enough space to avoid the cosmic paparazzi.
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| 24th of March 2023 at 10:00PM |
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| 23rd of April 2017 at 8:14PM / My first encounter with Aurora. |
Navigating the Celestial Voyage: Monitoring Tools for the Celestial Navigator:
Modern tools become our allies in capturing the Aurora Australis.
Aurora Forecast Apps (My Aurora Forecast & Alerts): Our cosmic weatherman, telling us when the Aurora is throwing a stellar party (intensity kp7 and up).
Weather Apps (Metservice):
Real-time updates on cloud cover and wind conditions with Metservice. Kupe would approve of our tech-savvy approach to navigating the elements.
Photopills: Locating the celestial like finding the Milky Way – Kupe's map had nothing on us. It's navigation meets composition for that extra cosmic flair.
Facebook Groups (Aurora Australis NZ):
Joining the "Aurora Australis NZ" Facebook community—where stargazers unite. It's like a modern-day meeting of explorers, minus the wooden boats and sea monsters.
Professional Weather Apps (Windyapp):
Windyapp guides us to areas with minimal cloud cover. Think of it as Kupe navigating the oceans, but with less guesswork and more meteorological precision. A clear sky is our cosmic red carpet.
Aurora Australis Season typically occurs during the Southern Hemisphere winter months of June, July, and August, although sightings can occasionally extend beyond this timeframe.
Essential Camera Gear and Settings:
Our celestial odyssey demands careful consideration of camera gear and settings.
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera:
I roll with a full-frame mirrorless Sony A7R3—it's like a DSLR but lighter, because who needs extra baggage on a cosmic journey?
Fast & Wide Angle Lens:
A fast lens with a wide aperture of f/2.8 or lower is our celestial compass. It guides us through the cosmic dance, and my go-to is the Sony 24mm f1.4 G-Master lens—it's practically our magic wand.
Sturdy Tripod:
Our tripod is the anchor during long exposure shots. Stability is key—Kupe had his boat, we've got our trusty tripod.
Camera Settings:
Exposure Time:
Experimenting with exposure times ranging from 5 to 30 seconds. It's like capturing the dynamic movement and vibrant colours of the Southern Lights in slow-mo.
Aperture:
Choosing the widest aperture possible, not less than f/2.8. This setting ensures our camera captures the celestial hues in all their brilliance.
ISO:
Adjusting ISO settings based on ambient light conditions, keeping it as low as possible to minimize noise in cosmic captures. We're talking somewhere from 800 to 1600—a sweet spot for celestial magic.
White Balance:
3500 to 4500 for those natural cosmic colours. It's like finding the perfect filter for the celestial Instagram of our dreams.
Save in RAW for better editing afterward.
Mobile Phones as Cosmic Capturers:
Even the latest mobile phones, like the Samsung S24 Ultra, become our celestial observers. Exploring manual settings on our devices enhances the aurora-chasing experience. Witnessing the aurora on four occasions? We're practically the VIPs of the cosmic nightclub.
What to Expect: The Cosmic Tapestry Unveiled:
Christchurch may be 3200 miles from the South Pole, but that just adds a dash of uniqueness to our celestial view. Sure, the naked eye might not see the true colours, but with our camera equipment, we're bringing the cosmic hues front and center. It's like the universe's own colour palette, curated just for us.
In the year 2024, experts predict this celestial spectacle to reach its zenith, offering the best auroras in two decades. They anticipate a broader canvas, with auroras gracing regions where they're not typically seen, all thanks to the sun nearing its peak activity during the solar maximum phase of its 11-year cycle. So let us gaze upon this symphony of light with awe, for in this convergence of science and beauty, we witness the universe's masterpiece unfold before our very eyes.
A Celestial Odyssey to Remember:
Embarking on a celestial journey isn't just about lights in the night sky—it's a poetic voyage echoing the mythology of Kupe's arrival. From the celestial citadel of Port Hills to the coastal dreamscape of Birdlings Flat, each location becomes a vessel for our contemporary cosmic odyssey. Armed with the wisdom of monitoring tools, essential camera gear, and the virtue of patience, our celestial voyage is adorned with the enchanting dance of the Southern Lights. As we sail through the cosmic tapestry, may the Aurora Australis paint the night sky with hues that transcend time and space.
HAPPY AURORA CHASING!
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My compatriots Joel and Roan, and I, in our pursuit of Auroras. |
Discover the magic behind my published Aurora photos making waves in the news.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65108333
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/114773626/colourful-aurora-australis-display-lights-up-new-zealand
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/101523203/aurora-australis-set-to-colour-the-sky
