How to Video an Aurora on a GoPro
We saw the Aurora Borealis for the first time on Christmas Eve in Lapland in 2022. It was a moment in time that went on to change the way I looked at the sky forever! Taking photos of the sky to see if there was an aurora became common practice and it wasn’t long before I made it my mission to learn to capture a video of an aurora. I started by taking photos with my phone, then I learnt how to do it in manual mode on my DLSR and next the GoPro. Here is how I did it!
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Get the GoPro!
First things first, to be able to capture an aurora on a GoPro, you need to have a GoPro! We have the GoPro Hero 11 and love it! There are updated models and I am sure they are only better. For the sake of this article, I will providing settings (and the set up) for what we use on our GoPro Hero 11.
We bought a GoPro a couple of years ago to take to Lapland. We used it for our “day time” activities such as the husky dog sledding and snowmobiling. I would have loved to have known back then that it had the capability to capture the northern lights as well. Fortunately, I learnt by the time I went to Lapland in Autumn 2024 and managed to capture the dancing in the sky a number of times. It was pure bliss!
You need a tripod
If you haven’t got a tripod for your GoPro, you are going to need to. To capture the aurora on a video, you ideally will have it set for a long time and it needs to be very still while recording. I would recommend buying a specific GoPro model tripod so that you know that the functionality of the device in your time of need, is bang on!
We only have a small shorty tripod which works absolutely fine if there is nothing in front of it blocking its view. I also like the small one because I feel more safe about it not being blown over in the wind (or knocked by a reindeer or kangaroo!) when I leave it overnight. But, it is not great if you don’t have a flat surface to set it up without a clear view to the sky. I have been known to sit mine up on top of an esky at home to get a little more height. I plan to invest in a taller tripod for the GoPro.
This taller version of a tripod for the GoPro will work well to ensure you get good views about any ground level obstructions, including blades of grass, bushes and hedges etc.
- Selfie-stick, tripod with remote – ships from Australia.
- 50″ (127cm) aluminium tripod – ships from the US.
- Telescoping selfie stick, tripod and doubles for Insta360 – ships from Germany.
Get Endurance batteries
Taking videos sucks the life out of most devices so I would highly recommend getting some of the Enduro batteries. They have a longer life and are better in the colder climates which is particularly good for capturing auroras given they are mostly at night and the temperatures are typically lower.
This Endurance battery kit (shipped from Australia) has two batteries and a fast charger which is great for being able to get ready to be able to record again the following night!
GoPro Settings for Videoing an Aurora
As mentioned earlier, these settings apply to our GoPro Hero 11. They may differ on your device but I think you could use these as a starting point and adjust accordingly.
- Start by selecting ‘Time Lapse’ then ‘Night Lapse.
| Format | Video |
| Interval | Auto |
| Resolution | 5.3k |
| ISO | 800 |
| Shutter speed | Auto |
| Duration | No limit |
| Timer | 10 seconds |
| White balance | 3200k |
| Sharpness | High |
| Anti-Flicker | 60Hz |
| Video Mode | Highest quality |
| Lens | Wide |
How to set your GoPro up
- Find a flat surface.
- Set your tripod up.
- Tilt your camera towards the sky and check for any obstructions in view.
- Ensure your GoPro is stable and protected from potential hazards.
- Do a test run of filming and playback before you leave it for an extended time.
How to schedule recording
In your settings you will find ‘Capture’. Click on this and you can set the date and time you want to start recording. This will only work properly if you have your date and time set accurately (and for the right time zone) on your GoPro in the first place. Be sure to set this up before trying to schedule recordings!
Other tips to help your experience
- Turn the WIFI off your camera.
- Leave it as long as you can to get the most out of the evenings sky.
- The battery will only last so long, so if you are setting it early, go back and check on it after an hour or so. If you still have battery life, use it up before changing the battery.
- The Enduro batteries take a long time to recharge, be mindful of this and plan ahead so that you get the most from your experience.
Following my Autumn trip, I even managed to record it at home and capture the southern lights popping out from behind the clouds one October evening.
Erin Parker is a Finnish Lapland specialist, women’s adventure host and founder of Lapland Lowdown & Travel Her Way. She has travelled six continents and brings first-hand experience to every destination she writes about – from the Arctic wilderness of Finnish Lapland to the high Andes of Peru. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Erin helps long-haul travellers plan extraordinary Finnish Lapland adventures and leads small group trips for women who are ready to explore the world boldly.
