Do you ever wish to watch those dancing lights in the sky? The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are one of nature’s magical displays, reminding me of a painter who creates a masterpiece by splashing vibrant colors across the canvas of the sky and providing you with the breath of an icy kiss. If ever you have a question regarding these lights, what they are, where to see them, or why so many people are glued to their screens, then let’s dive headlong into this amazing phenomenon.
What Are the Northern Lights?
Northern lights refer to the streams of the color’s red, green, yellow, and blue in the night sky. This is where the charged particles from the sun crash into the magnetic field of Earth, creating the bright flash as they crash and rebound through our atmospheric gases. Although green is the most visible color, the lights can also exhibit exciting colors, such as pink, purple, and red. These waves, like an ethereal cosmic dance, shift and blend depending upon the sun’s activity and the atmospheric conditions.
Scientists commonly refer to this phenomenon as the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in the northern part of the globe, and the aurora australis, or southern lights, on the southern side of the earth. But whatever the name, these lights have been captivating human minds for centuries.
Where can you observe the Northern Lights?
If you went out of your way to attend the Northern Lights, then location doesn’t matter. High-latitude locations close to the Arctic Circle are the most common places to see the Northern Lights: The most sought-after and scenic viewing places are:
Norway: The cities of Tromsø and Lofoten Islands are probably one of the world’s best locations to view this spectacular show. The wild landscape provides a stunning backdrop for admiring the glowing skies.
Iceland: If you’re looking for an otherworldly landscape and dark nights conducive to aurora hunting, Iceland is the perfect destination. Sometimes the capital, Reykjavik, will be the perfect place to start; otherwise, head for the remoter areas for the best view.
Sweden: Abisko National Park offers clear skies and good chances of seeing the lights.
Finland: Combine snow adventures with time spent viewing auroras in the same trip since Lapland becomes a winter wonderland.
Canada: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and parts of British Columbia offer some of the best illumination views in North America.
Alaska: Fairbanks and Denali National Park are some of the other hotspots in the United States.
These are the northern places, where the earth’s magnetic field is at its strongest, making them a prime location for viewing the lights. The best time to view the lights is between late September and March, when the nights are long and dark in winter.
How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights
While it’s almost impossible to predict the Northern Lights, there are a few other things that could help build up your chances of seeing them. Here are some tips:
Check the forecast: Websites and apps like the Aurora Forecast provide real-time solar activity updates so you can keep track of when they are likely to appear.
Dark, transparent nights: Cloud cover can dampen your chances; look for nights with less cloud. Avoid lights in the cities as well, as light pollution will submerge the auroras.
Prepare for long nights: The lights may appear faint or occasionally flash out for a few seconds. So, just wait. If you go out at night, allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Guided tour: Numerous companies offer guided tours of the Northern Lights. Expert guides will guide you to the best viewing spots. Expert guides can also provide cabins for warmth and offer photography tips to help you capture the moment.
How the Lights Work
It’s comforting to know that it’s all based on science. The sun constantly emits solar wind, which consists of charged particles. When this solar wind strikes the Earth, the Earth’s magnetic field attracts all the particles towards the poles. The particle hits the gases of our atmosphere, mostly oxygen and nitrogen, exciting the gas molecules, thus causing them to emit light.
The colors of the aurora depend on the type of gas into which the particles fall. Oxygen at much higher altitudes emits typical green light, but oxygen at lower altitudes may, on rare occasions, emit red. Nitrogen collisions can produce blue or purple lights. As a solar storm gets stronger, so does the color and spacing of the northern lights.
Northern Lights: Cultural Significance
People have looked for thousands of years in awe at the Northern Lights. They assign mystical or spiritual characteristics to them. The indigenous people of the Arctic hold numerous stories about the lights. According to Norse mythology, auroras were reflections of the armor on the Valkyries—women warriors who escorted fallen warriors into Valhalla. In Finland, people commonly attribute auroras to foxes running through the snow, their tails sending sparks skyward, a phenomenon known as “revontulet,” or “fox fires.”
These lights have influenced art, music, and storytelling, contributing significantly to the appreciation of human culture.
How to Photograph the Northern Lights
Even though the Northern Lights are beautiful to see, travelers who go solely for this reason would love to immortalize the moment in their photographs. Taking photos of the aurora at night can be difficult, but with the right settings, you can get some great shots. Here’s how to do it:
Use a tripod: Considering you will be using long exposures, a tripod will keep your camera steady.
Long Exposure: You may capture motion in lights by taking exposures between 10 and 30 seconds.
ISO: Usually, ISO 800/1600 works well, but experiment with different settings depending on the brightness of your lights.
Focus: Autofocus performs poorly in low light; instead, manually set your lens to infinity.
Patience: Capturing lights is not an easy task; it’s not like chasing an aurora. You must maintain your patience for hours.
Northern Lights: A once-in-a-lifetime experience
Seeing the Northern Lights is a dream for many people, and it’s understandable. The swirling, colorful skies seem like something from a dream, reminding us that our world is beautiful and mysterious. Whether you’re interested in the science of lights or the culture behind it, or just the simple beauty behind it, nothing beats the experience of witnessing such a spectacle as the aurora borealis—you carry it with you for a lifetime.
If you find yourself under such radiant skies, inhale deeply, gaze upwards, and revel in the splendor of the Northern Lights.
