Best Time to See the Northern Lights

Why Northern are Lights so Special?

The sky and its many wonders have long fascinated humans with its beauty. Given the rarity of the northern lights and their otherworldly experience, these lights have always fascinated people. While Galileo officially coined this phenomenon in 1619, scientists have discovered earlier records of these lights in a cave painting dating back 30,000 years.

Surrounded by mystery, myths and mysticism, the northern lights have been a popular topic across civilisations with a vast collection of literature related to its origin, effects, and phenomenon. Take a look at some of the special facts about the Aurora Borealis scientists have uncovered so far:

• Other than the Northern hemisphere, you can also find auroras in the Southern hemisphere. These southern lights are called Aurora Australis.
• Auroras change shapes often and look like moving curtains of light depending on the earth's magnetic field.
• As per NASA, the earliest auroral citing goes back to 2600 BC. It has also been significant to many cultures, especially Australian and North American native communities.
• Northern lights are unpredictable as they depend on solar activity. There is no sure way to predict the time they will be visible. Light pollution, cloud, solar activity etc. can also dim or delay the process.
• Northern lights are visible from space. You will easily find northern light wallpapers that are actually satellite images.
• The green light emitted is due to oxygen atoms, whereas the red light of northern lights is due to nitrogen.
• While the lights are best seen at the pole, they can also move south.
• The pictures of auroras are actually better than what your eye can see. Northern lights are dim and human retinas find it difficult to pick them, especially the red light.

Finally, just the mesmerising dance of light is enough to spellbind you. If you’ve been meaning to experience them, you can head to countries where northern lights can be seen. Just don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you leave for the green lights!

What Month is Best to See the Northern Lights?

Northern lights are active throughout the year. They can appear anytime in a year but may or may not be visible due to pollution or less solar activity. However, there are places and times when the chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis increase.

While it's hard to predict a Northern light, your best bet is to try between September and March. These are autumn months perfect for viewing Aurora Borealis in the icy Arctic Circle. The sky is clear during these months and there is higher solar activity. You can spot them in areas around 65º to 70º North latitudes during clear skies.

However, if you want a better experience you will need to brave the cold and visit around January to March. The sighting also requires a lot of patience as you can best see these lights at night between 17:00 and 2:00. It is said that auroras are most sighted during March and September equinoxes.

These lights don't last for long so you need to be active, otherwise, you may miss out on the show!

Where is the Best Place to See the Northern Lights?

Places close to the magnetic pole of the Earth are most famous for their Auroras. The best places in the world are generally closer to the Arctic Circle. These include Greenland, Norway, Sweden Alaska, Canada, Iceland, and Finland. Let’s take a look at different countries where you can see the Northern Lights dance:

What Causes the Northern Lights?

For centuries, people have wondered about how are Northern Lights formed. It was only in the previous century that the phenomenon was understood. The spectacular Northern lights are actually a result of violent collisions of billion of particles emitted from the sun's atmosphere. The charged particles released by the sun collide with the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in various colours.

So what causes the Northern Lights to dance in different colours? Green, the most common aurora colour is produced due to oxygen molecules that collide around 95 kilometres above the Earth. The red auroras are produced at higher altitudes, at heights exceeding 320 kilometres. The blue or purple aurora is produced by Nitrogen, and the overlapping of different auroras creates other colours such as orange, pink and blue.

Northern lights usually appear in short bursts. At times, you can see them for barely a few minutes while sometimes, they may last for several hours. You can use some reliable Aurora prediction apps or websites to get a better idea.

However, it is best to take some time and plan a trip lasting a few days at least so that spotting the chances of seeing the beautiful Northern Lights are high. However long you decide to stay, be sure to have reliable travel insurance that will protect you from any type of medical, stay-related or financial emergency abroad.

How to Increase the Chances of Watching Northern Lights

As you already know by now, Northern Lights are very unpredictable. Aurora chasers, scientists and dedicated stargazers are still struggling to understand this out-of-the-world phenomenon. You will easily find stories and accounts of dejected people who waited hours and days to watch the Northern Lights but couldn't. Here are a few things you can do to maximise your chances of spotting the stunning Northern Lights:

Wrapping it Up,

Most people wish to see the beautiful Northern Lights at least once in their lifetime. It is truly an experience that can’t be described. If you’re planning to visit Norway, be sure to buy Schengen travel insurance for a smooth journey. Even if you decide to go to another country of the Arctic circle, don’t forget to buy international travel insurance as soon as you’re done booking your flight and hotels. It will keep you safe while you put all your focus into chasing the green lights!