Sensitivity to Light The human eye has limitations in low-light conditions. It relies on rod cells, which are sensitive to faint light but do not detect color well.
As a result, auroras often appear as shades of gray or faint colors to the naked eye. In contrast, cameras, particularly DSLRs, can capture a broader spectrum of light, including the blue and purple hues emitted by nitrogen molecules during auroral displays.
Exposure Time Cameras can use long exposure times, often ranging from 10 to 30 seconds or more, allowing them to gather more light from the aurora.
This extended exposure enables the camera sensor to accumulate enough light to render the faint blue and purple colors more clearly, which the human eye might miss in real-time.
ISO Settings Modern cameras can operate at high ISO settings, enhancing their sensitivity to low light.
This capability allows cameras to capture the subtle colors of auroras, including blue and purple, that may not be visible to the human eye during brief observations
In summary, the combination of camera sensitivity, long exposure capabilities, and adjustable ISO settings enables a more vivid capture of auroras compared to human vision.