Just Chasing Lights 🫶🏼📸

It's truly something special when the Northern Lights make an appearance this far south, especially over Cheyenne, Wyoming! I still can't believe I captured such a vibrant display of pink and green hues right from my front drive. Seeing those dancing lights against the dark night sky, with scattered stars peeking through, was absolutely breathtaking. It felt like a dream, and I wanted to share a bit more about this incredible experience and how you might catch them too. Many people associate the Aurora Borealis with Alaska or Canada, so witnessing it in Wyoming, near Cheyenne, is a pretty rare and unforgettable event. While it’s not an everyday occurrence, stronger solar storms can push the aurora further south, making it visible in states like Wyoming. The evening of June 1st, 2025, was one of those magical nights. The conditions were perfect: a clear sky, minimal light pollution outside of town, and a strong geomagnetic storm. If you're hoping to experience a similar spectacle in Wyoming, here are a few tips I've picked up. First, keep an eye on space weather forecasts – sites like NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center or apps that track the KP index can give you a heads-up when a strong solar storm is expected. A KP index of 5 or higher usually indicates a good chance for southern sightings. Second, location is key. You need to get away from city lights as much as possible. Even though I was just north of Cheyenne, finding a spot with an unobstructed view of the northern horizon and away from streetlights drastically improves visibility. The dark silhouette of the landscape, with trees and structures, provided a great foreground for my photos. Third, be patient and prepared. The aurora can be elusive. Dress warmly, even in early summer, as night temperatures can drop. Bring a comfortable chair, some snacks, and maybe a thermos of hot chocolate. The display I saw only lasted about 10 minutes (from 1:30 AM to 1:40 AM), but even a brief glimpse is worth the wait. For those interested in photography, a sturdy tripod is essential for long exposures. I used a wide-angle lens with a low aperture (f/2.8 or lower) and set my ISO relatively high (1600-6400), with shutter speeds ranging from 10 to 30 seconds. Experimenting with settings is crucial to capture those vibrant pink and green hues and the delicate star field. It’s all about letting enough light in to capture the faint glow. Seeing the aurora dance across the sky is a profound experience. It reminds you of the incredible power and beauty of our universe. I hope my raw shots convey even a fraction of the wonder I felt that night. Keep looking up, and who knows, maybe you'll be lucky enough to chase those lights in Wyoming too!