Don’t go out at 8 PM and give up after ten minutes. The Aurora is a night owl. Prime time is usually between 10 PM and 2 AM. That’s when the Earth’s magnetic field lines up just right. But sometimes she surprises you at 3 AM. Bring snacks.
Set an alarm. If you wake up at 1 AM and the sky is clear, run outside. Don’t put on pants. Just go. Your neighbors will forgive you when they see the photos.