In the absolute darkness of the icy Nordic nights, a spectacle of lights capriciously breaks into the sky: they are the northern lights . For centuries, the nature of this phenomenon has amazed visitors and locals as one of nature’s most divine and mystical creations . Its beauty is such that witnessing this natural phenomenon is the dream of many travelers who set out across the world in search of the auroras. In fact, the experience is part of the list of the “100 things to do before you die.”
We present you with a complete guide to the Northern Lights : what they are, how they are formed, the best time to see them and the tips you should follow to have the opportunity to clearly observe the phenomenon in the sky. In addition, the places in the world that you can visit, which offer you the best chance of success in observing an aurora.
WHAT IS AN AURORA BOREALIS?
Also known as northern lights or polar aurora , it is a characteristic luminous phenomenon of the northern hemisphere . It is characterized by the presence of species with colored veils against the darkness of the night sky in the polar areas. It owes its name to Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn.
The northern lights are formed by the solar wind, which carries charged particles of energy through the solar system. During the cycles of greatest solar activity, these storms reach Earth and are accelerated by the Earth’s magnetic field, heading towards the planet’s polar latitudes, while displaying an impressive light effect in the night sky.
The different colors that are generated during the light phenomenon are produced by the interaction of the particles carried by the solar wind with the molecules present in our atmosphere. Usually, the auroras are observed in green . This is due to the interaction with oxygen, which is also responsible for the yellow hues seen at the edges of auroras. Nitrogen produces a bluish light, which can change to purples and reddish tones, shown around the lower edges of auroras and more curved areas.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
In general, the best time to see this natural spectacle is between the months of September and March . This season coincides with winter, when the days are shorter and the night hours are longer, making the setting ideal for aurora hunting . Depending on the location, whether it is close to the coast or inland, the best viewing hours can vary from a time span after sunset or before sunrise.
The key to observing them is dark skies , with a complete absence of light pollution. On days where the luminescence intensity or KP Index is low, even the full moon can interfere with your observation. For this reason it is good to avoid it, just as it is convenient to get away from populated areas.
The KP Index is a scale from 0 to 9 that describes the disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field due to the solar wind. The greater the disturbance, the greater the KP and the greater the intensity of the color expressed through the aurora phenomenon. This means that the color will be more defined and the aurora will be seen more clearly.
Another factor that interferes with your observation is the presence of clouds , which is why it is important to have a clear sky, in total absence of cloudiness. No matter how high the KP is, if the sky is cloudy you will not be able to see the boreal phenomenon. The auroras occur in areas of the planet called auroral ovals , which circulate around the Arctic Circle and neighboring places.
Most of the countries that are part of this northern ring, have a meteorological service where you can follow the evolution of cloudiness and the projections of the KP index in established periods of time, to know when to see a northern lights with a greater probability of success.
WHERE CAN YOU SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
To see the polar auroras it is necessary to move towards the extreme latitudes of the planet, in the areas close to the north pole . If we look from space, a large ring can form around the Earth’s magnetic pole. This ring would be crossing over Iceland, Norway, Canada, Alaska, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Greenland, New Zealand and Australia, mainly. In these countries you will find many places where you can venture in search of the Northern Lights. Let’s review the main locations:
Iceland, the land of ice and fire
This island country, located in northwestern Europe, is characterized by the contrasts it offers between its large expanses of glaciers, its volcanoes, geysers and lava fields. In the southern part of the country you will find the best places to appreciate the boreal phenomenon. They emphasize Skógafoss , an impressive waterfall in the course of the Skogar river. Also the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon , in the vicinity of the Vatnajökull National Park.
If your intention is to stay close to the capital Reykjavik, in Reykjanesviti you will have a good chance of appreciating the light phenomenon. But if that’s not your concern, move on to Stokksness , a black sand beach on the east coast, where the auroras rise behind the majestic volcanic mountain peaks that guard it.
To the west, on the Snæfellsnes peninsula , you will find Kirkjufell , one of the most emblematic mountains in Iceland that has become another of the favorite settings to appreciate the magic of the auroras. Before going to your observation site, discover the cloud forecasts in Iceland at Vedur.is.
Norway: land of fjords, vikings and northern lights
Norway is characterized by the profusion of fjords or long and narrow coves that extend between deep cliffs that sculpt its coastal landscape. This setting has become the ideal place to appreciate the marvelous lighting scene of the auroras , thanks to the fact that the strong winds off the coast keep the sky clear.
The entire northwest coast of the country, from the Lofoten and Vesteralen archipelagos , through Tromso, Alta, and North Cape ; to the islands of Svalbard in the northernmost tip of the country, they are the perfect places to visit during the aurora season. Above all, taking into account that winter days only have between six to eight hours of light, which favors nocturnal observation conditions.
You can check here the aurora forecasts provided by the Norwegian Center for Space Weather (NOSWE) or the Tromso Geophysical Observatory (TGO).
Lapland, the land of Santa Claus and the polar lights
It is a region located in northern Europe and shared by Norway, Sweden, Russia and Finland . We already saw the wonderful opportunities when traveling to Norwegian Lapland in winter, between snow and northern lights . Now we will review the alternatives offered by the other end of the region: Finland.
Finnish Lapland, especially the city of Rovaniemi , its capital, located in the extreme north, is one of the most popular destinations to appreciate the great spectacle of the colorful northern lights. Much further north, in Kakslauttanen , away from the city lights, the chances of seeing the auroras increase.
If you decide to go even further north, in the town of Ivalo or in the mountainous area of ​​Saariselkä , the probability of witnessing the Northern Spectacular during the season is almost daily, as long as the skies are clear. Before planning your observing nights, check the forecasts from the Finnish Meteorological Institute . You can also install the App and follow the Aurora Alert of the Finnish service, in real time.
Canada, the country of dark sky reserves
Located in North America, Canada features the largest dark sky reserve in the world , thanks to regulations that limit light pollution in the area of ​​Wood Buffalo and Jasper National Parks. This condition creates the perfect setting for the concert of colorful lights.
In turn, all the territories located in the north of the country, such as the Yukon area and its capital Whitehorse , as well as the Northwest Territories , mainly the province of Yellowknife and Nunavut , are ideal for observing the auroras. Also in Churchill , Manitoba, auroras can be observed almost daily.
The dark skies of Banff National Park , in the province of Alberta, which include the Canadian Rockies, are one of the prime areas for aurora viewing. Despite being located at a lower latitude, you can observe the phenomenon during strong solar storms.
The University of Alberta manages the Aurora Watch website and provides an email alert service, absolutely free! Also on the Auroraforecast.com website you can follow the level of aurora activity in northern Canada.
Alaska, full of remote landscapes
Thanks to its location, Alaska is the country in the Americas with the highest probability of witnessing the auroras. The ease of access to the beautiful remote areas makes it easy to see the phenomenon almost every night during the Alaskan aurora season.
The Chena Lake Recreation Area , about 17 miles from Fairbanks , is one of the most popular and accessible spots. In turn, Denali National Park provides the ideal setting to observe the night show, far from the pollution of city lights.
Given the right conditions in Anchorage , the largest city in Alaska, it is possible to observe the boreal spectacle. If this is the case, it is best to move to the highest points such as Glen Alps, Point Woronzof Park or the Knit River Valley to appreciate the northern lights without obstacles.
Before venturing into the observation of the Alaskan auroras, review the projections made by the Alaska Geophysical Institute .
Greenland, land of ice
It is a large island located in the northeast of North America, dependent on the Kingdom of Denmark. Despite being the largest populated island on the planet, its population is concentrated on the coast, mainly in the southwestern region, where the city of Nuuk, its capital, is located. This is one of the reasons why the interior of the island is uninhabited and the absence of light pollution favors the observation of the auroras.
The Ilulissat Icefjord , whose glaciers are a UNESCO World Heritage Site , flows into the west coast of Greenland. This is located in Disko Bay and has become one of the favorite places for observing the auroras. In this area, the colorful lights are reflected in the large icebergs in the sea, which adds to the magical scenery.
Further to the south of the island, in Nuuk , there are many facilities to observe the boreal spectacle. The presence of fjords, large steep peaks and high mountains create a perfect setting to watch the light show. Before making plans, check out the projections at Aurorareach.com .
TIPS TO GET TO SEE AN AURORA BOREALIS
Despite the fact that we have indicated the best places, it is necessary that a series of additional conditions be met in order to see the phenomenon. Keep these tips in mind to know how to see an aurora borealis :
- Reserve several days in any of the recommended sites to observe the auroras, which coincides with the best time of the year to see them.
- Look for the darkest place , with the least light pollution, away from towns, roads or cars.
- Check the local Northern Lights forecast or cloud forecasts for the area. You can also consult the projections made by the National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ), to know your real probabilities. You can also activate local aurora alert services.
- Remember that the higher the KP, the greater the probability of observing the auroras and the greater the intensity of their color.
- It is important to get your eyes used to the darkness of the moment , avoiding the distraction of any type of artificial light, including mobile phones and cameras.
- Arm yourself with a lot of patience , since the auroras may or may not appear at any time of night, and their presence is unpredictable. They can begin to shine at the least expected moment!
Despite taking all the aforementioned forecasts, the appropriate conditions may not be present to observe a colorful and perfect northern spectacle. Most of the photos that are shared on networks are retouched and you can create many expectations with the experience that may not be met.
TRAVEL CALMLY BY HIRING TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you are determined to organize your trip abroad, to witness this natural spectacle, you should be proactive and take out good travel insurance . Mondo, thinking of the health situation that still prevails in many countries, includes Covid-19 coverage . It especially focuses on the expenses that are produced by contagion, sanitary transfer and repatriation. In addition, the expenses that derive from the possible extension of the stay, the cancellation of the trip due to various circumstances.
