Northern lights, aka Aurora borealis! A dream to sit under the skies and view this beautiful dance of the solar magic. These lights are naturally formed when the solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field. Usually, these happen in areas at a higher altitude. In the 1600s, they were named the Aurora Borealis.
How are northern lights formed?
It’s quite interesting to know how these charged particles from the sun, i.e., the solar winds, collide with the Earth. The magnetic field of the Earth and these winds meet to transfer the energy to oxygen and nitrogen gases. This happens in the upper atmosphere. These gases emit light and glow. They create such a beautiful shades and colors. They look like dancing curtains of the North Pole. The electrons get excited and emit photons, which are the light. How fascinating can it be!
These look like streaks and patches of lights in the nighttime sky. The neon green looks too beautiful a view. But more colors bloom, which include shades like pink, red, blue, and violet. You will also see stars that blink in the sky. Sometimes they also look like shifting waves, faint, static, white-ish glowing patterns, and movement.
Too Magical the view. So the greens are on a higher altitude, you will notice like a 100-200kms and the rare reds.
Whereas the pinks, blues, and purples are a result of the nitrogen in the lower atmosphere. The lights also give out an aroma that smells like a Barbeque, burnt leaves, or garlic. There are also certain radio emissions. When sound is transferred, it at times sounds like a bird tweeting. Humans can’t hear it quite well, but it’s right up there, all happening and creating magic.
Camera captures
We definitely get our Cameras out and click some memories with these lights. So any modern smartphone iphones or Androids, can capture these lights, obviously keep the Night mode on, or go to your settings and increase the shutter speeds and exposure. Take tripods, Nikon, Sony, or Canon cameras.
Northern Lights Kaha Dikhte hai par!
India mein bhi hai Aurora Borealis, but rare hai. For this, you will have to go to higher altitudes. A place with no pollution. So pack your bags to Ladakh to Hanle Dark Sky Reserve urf Nubra Valley. When intense solar storms occur, these lights bloom, and you can get good sightings.
Pangong Lake also offers a world-class view in the dark-sky with cool Milky Way view and Arctic-style auroras. Minimal light, pollution, and the extremely isolated area create a view that’s breathtaking, and its reflections on the lake will make you awestruck. October/ March and April are good to go here. Winter-long nights can give you a good opportunity for good sights. But avoid the months from May to July as there is constant daylight and midnight sun too.
Northern lights and Places you can go to see internationally
The Arctic cycle is way up, and this region is premier and has great sightings too. From late August, expect the season to start. Let’s check colder spaces with the Northern Lights.
In finland they call it “revontulet,” and several cultures believe it tp folktales around the lights, seeing them as spirits or ancestors. There is a cool way to check forecasts by using tracking apps that monitor activities, so go to the Icelandic Meteorological Office website.
Another famous destination you can go to is Northern Norway. It’s accessible and is on the hit list. Major spots here are Tromso, as they have higher visibility. They are within the auroral oval, and this gives high chances for good visibility. There are many guided tours, too, that you should book. Alta is the next place known as the City of the Northern Lights. It has a stable, dry climate and clear skies. It is located at 70N.
The Lofoten islands are again a great place to be, as it has a northern-facing beach known as Uttakeiv, Gimsoy, and Ramberg. The Lyngen Alps is a prime spot, which also includes Skibotn, Spakenes peninsula, and Skjervoy.Clear nights with minimal light pollution and high solar activity.
Sweden has the best view in the Arctic Lapland region, which includes Abisko National Park- it’s known for its blue hole skies.
OH ya! How can we miss taking you to Alaska? A world-class destination for viewing the Northern lights. Here you would want to stay for 3 nights to have more chances to get a great view of over 90%.
Canada also has some great opportunities during its peak season. In the Northern regions like Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Manitoba.
Nights are ideal with magenta, greens and purple color lights in the sky.Go for a drive to Whitehorse, Dempster Highway, Jasper National Park, or Fort McMurray.
Northern Russia, too, has some spectacular and good access to the mesmerizing skies, especially in the Kola Peninsula and Murmansk, which are two less crowded places.
Teriberka is an old village near the Barents Sea, and Kirovsk and Khibiny mountains are on high-altitude has bright, clear skies. Naryan- Mar and the Taimyr peninsula are too cold, hence has some great and high-intensity auroras.
Siberia is an off-beaten path where Northern lights are beautiful. There are remote Arctic areas like Norilsk and Yakutia. They are ideal for spotting the lights. They are stunning lavender and green lights. Other intense places are Greenland, Disko Bay, and Kangerlussuaq.
Is it ok to see the Northern Lights safely !
The raditions are not dangerous. While your cameras will get you good captures, your eyes can also cherish the moments with bright greens, whites, pinks, and purples. With misty clouds, it is low in intensity. You can easily see with naked eyes.
Be well prepared
To go up to higher altitudes, you will definitely need to get your winter gear. Definitely not without thermals. Be well-layered.
Power banks and red-light headlamps. If YouTube stays up longer, then you will definitely need chemical heat packs. Keep sipping hot drinks. Acclimatize yourself. Avoid wearing cotton clothes and definitely rent good-quality gear to beat the cold. Definitely keep powerbanks as it’s most likely to get your mobile batteries down.
