CHASING LIGHTS

Witness the greatest light show on Earth

Aurora borealis, or the northern lights, are one of planet Earth’s magical wonders. Waves of bright colours – greens, pinks, or perhaps blues and reds – emit an eerie glow of light in the winter sky. They may appear as laser beams shooting across the sky like a battle in a sci-fi movie or like rivers of light flowing up into the sky. They may seem like scattered clouds, dancing in the night breeze, or like a vast sky-colour curtain being pulled open. A tear in the sky, a blotch on the night, whatever their colour and shape, if you’re lucky enough to see these natural phenomena then it is something you’ll never forget.

Observe the lights from the comfort of an igloo

How are they created?

The northern lights are created when gas particles from earth collide with charged particles from the sun. The sun’s powerful energy is usually refracted away from earth due to its powerful magnetic field but at both the North and South poles, where the magnetic field is weaker, the solar winds break through, colliding with our natural gasses to cause these colourful explosions.

Different types of gas particles in the air create different colours in the sky. Green is created by the collision of oxygen particles that are found around 100km above earth. Nitrogen particles produce a blueish purple aura and the collision of very high-altitude oxygen, at around 300km above Earth, creates a red colour.

Viewing the spectacular northern lights colours

Green is the most common, with the blues, yellows and purples also often visible. The burning red colour, the rarest of them all, is not often seen because of the high altitude in which it is created. When viewed from space, the aurora looks like a giant green crown sitting on top of the Arctic Circle with red gems sparkling on top.

Lofoten is situated just beneath the Auroral Oval, a belt of light that encircles the geomagnetic poles and provides some of the best chances of seeing the northern lights

Where is the best place to see them?

The north coast of Norway is arguably the best place in the world to see the northern lights. This is because Norway sits below the Auroral Oval. The Oval almost follows the line of the Arctic Circle, the ring that encircles the North Pole at a distance of 2,600km. Although it is said that you should be above 55 degrees north to witness them clearly, the lights have been spotted much further south. In fact, during a couple of seriously strong solar flares last century they were spotted as far south as Hawaii.

Most expeditions to see the lights might involve a journey, on foot, by car, snowmobile or boat to the highest, darkest or most remote area possible but whether you’re keen to see the lights from sea, from up high, or from within a forest, there are options for everyone.

Lapland, Lofoten, Tromsø and the North Cape are some of the best places to witness the lights on the Arctic Circle. The remoteness of these areas, and When is the best time to see them? therefore the lack of light pollution, combined with the long dark winters make them seem to glow even Although it is impossible to predict when the more brightly. lights will show, there is a higher chance of seeing

Hamnoy fishing village on Lofoten Islands with famed red Rorbu houses

Lapland is the home of the Sami people and here in the them during the dark cold winter nights, between north of Finland, you can stay in one of the many igloos with October and March, from 6pm and 1am. They are as clear roofs that allow you to stare up at the sky from the changeable as the weather so there is no guarantee that comfort of your bed. they will be on display. Scientists do know that there is a link

The North Cape is the most northerly point of Europe. The between the solar flares and the lights. When there is an hardiest of Arctic explorers can travel out by snowmobile to increase in solar activity and solar flares are stronger, they’re try to catch a glimpse of the lights from the top of the cliffs more likely to collide with earth’s molecules – which means overlooking the Barents Sea. the exploding light will be brighter. A peak sunspot cycle will

Above the Arctic Circle and right on the Atlantic coast, next occur in 2024, making the probability of seeing them Tromsø is nestled among the forests and fjords of the west then significantly higher. So, wrap up warm, grab a hot berry coast of Norway, presenting nature’s true intended backdrop. juice and prepare to be enthralled.

The archipelago of Lofoten is the most westerly point of Norway, where just a finger of land points out towards the Atlantic. Fishing villages leap out from the dark thanks to the brightly painted, old wooden houses that house fishermen who have lived under this magical light show for centuries. The dramatic scenery of Lofoten, with jagged pinnacles reaching up to the sky, is a sight in and of itself.

Lapland is a magical place, including the snowy trees

When is the best time to see them?

Although it is impossible to predict when the lights will show, there is a higher chance of seeing them during the dark cold winter nights, between October and March, from 6pm and 1am. They are as changeable as the weather so there is no guarantee that they will be on display. Scientists do know that there is a link between the solar flares and the lights. When there is an increase in solar activity and solar flares are stronger, they’re more likely to collide with earth’s molecules – which means the exploding light will be brighter. A peak sunspot cycle will next occur in 2024, making the probability of seeing them then significantly higher. So, wrap up warm, grab a hot berry juice and prepare to be enthralled.

MAIN IMAGE: Dancing under the northern lights