This is the same principal as how a neon sign lights up. Some of the ions become trapped and will consequently interact with the Earth's ionosphere (an average of 60-80 miles above the surface), causing the ions to glow. As the plasma comes in contact with the Earth's magnetic field, the ions will be agitated into moving around the Earth. What Causes the Aurora? The Sun emits electrically-charged particles called ions, which correspondingly move away from the Sun in a stream of plasma (ionized gas) known as the solar wind. The Aurora Australis is the southern hemisphere counterpart to the Aurora Borealis. See our guide to where to see the Northern Lights in the Nordic Region.The Aurora Borealis (commonly referred to as the Northern Lights) are the result of interactions between the Sun and Earth's outer atmosphere. Norway’s Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland, as well as Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish Lapland are all within the Northern Lights zone.Īre you after an active adventure trip, or a city based sightseeing trip? Do you want to stay in ICEHOTEL or head to Lyngen Lodge and enjoy a champagne on their deck? The locals of this region have done a great job making the best of a cold winter Jacuzzis on the front porch, glass igloos, and cozy lodges are just some of the features that will make your stay memorable. High above the Arctic Circle, several of our countries are excellent Aurora Borealis destinations. Where to see the Northern LightsĪligning the best time of year to see the lights with the best location is something we do for all our packages. Our packages here are designed by local Scandinavians to maximize your chances for viewing the Aurora. Be sure to actually LOOK NORTH when you are out there searching. At times, our guests have seen numerous strong displays over the space of a few hours, while the week after, as conditions change ever so slightly, the lights are not visible. The Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed on any given night.
Northern lights in usa full#
But in our experience, any half decent Northern Lights show will be clearly visible even during the full moon.
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If the Northern Lights are very weak and taking place directly on front of the full moon, the full moon might pose a problem by drowning the Aurora Borealis in light. What about when it is a full moon - can you still see the Northern Lights? Bear in mind that during the darkest part of winter ( December to early January) you may only have a few hours of daylight with extended dawns and dusks. Creating the picture perfect white Christmas and winter wonderland, the snow provides the opportunity to combine your Aurora Borealis search with fun adventure activities, such as dog sledding, skiing and reindeer sledding.
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From December, the weather starts to dry up and snow generally covers the landscape. Note: it doesn't need to be cold as such, just clear (which tends to be when it is cold!)Īlthough October and November can be stormy, particularly along the coast, they are generally good months. Check out the daily Aurora Sighting website here to see how the Aurora is fairing this week. To see the lights, it needs to be dark and cold with as little cloud as possible. At 50 Degrees North, we are often asked when is the best time to view the Northern Lights, and fortunately for us, there is a large window of opportunity offered in our region.īetween the autumn and spring equinox (21 September – 21 March), the Aurora lights are at their most frequent.