How to take pictures of the Northern Lights on Android

9to5Google • January 20, 2026 • general

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Strong geomagnetic storms have made the Northern Lights visible across large parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including many areas of the United States, with a major solar storm in January 2026 described as the strongest since 2003.
The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from solar storms interact with Earth’s atmosphere, creating colorful displays typically seen only in far northern regions but now visible farther south due to increased solar activity.
Google Pixel smartphones feature an astrophotography mode that uses long exposure and a tripod to capture detailed photos and time-lapse videos of the Northern Lights, producing images that can reveal more than the naked eye.
Other Android phones, such as Samsung Galaxy devices, can also capture the aurora using night