The stunning light show, also known as the aurora borealis, occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's magnetic field, and create vibrant waves of color that illuminate the night sky.
What are the
northern lights?
During large solar explosions and flares, huge quantities of particles are thrown out from the sun and into deep space, ultimately causing the phenomenon.
When the particles meet the Earth’s magnetic shield, they are led towards an oval around the magnetic North Pole where they interact with the upper parts of the atmosphere. The energy then released is visible to us as the northern lights.
It adds to the magic to know that it happens approximately 100 kilometres above our heads. The immense power of the phenomenon is the reason we can see it so clearly, as it’s intensified by a multitude of atoms and molecules.
The northern lights
Never take the northern lights for granted. They are as much a natural phenomenon as the weather. The appearance and intensity of the northern lights are controlled by the sun’s activity and their location depends on the earth’s magnetic field.
The northern lights appear in a belt situated above the Earth in a regular position in relation to the sun.
More on the northern lights
Interested in learning more about aurora’s origin? This video explains the fascinating details.
What causes the northern lights?
The myths about the northern lights
Aurora borealis is far from a new phenomenon. The spectacle of the northern lights is described by early storytellers and has given rise to many legends. For instance, northern lights symbols are found on Sami shamanistic drums. The lights have several different names in Sami, including Guovssahas, which means 'the light which can be heard'. Poetry in motion.
During the Viking Age, the northern lights were said to be the armour of the Valkyrie warrior virgins, which shed a strange flickering light. Today, locals often respectfully refer to the northern lights as 'the green lady'. Check out the colours in the numerous photos and films of the lights posted on social media to see if you find that apt. You might see many more colours in real life, though.
When and where can I see them?
Northern Norway definitely offers the best and most consistent opportunities to see the northern lights, as this part of the country lies below the auroral oval. One place in this area is often as good as another – you can observe the same northern lights in Lofoten as in Tromsø, 500 kilometres further north, just from a different angle.
However, the aurora shows up in other parts of the country as well from time to time, including in Trøndelag and Southern Norway, particularly during periods of increased solar activity.
Patience is a virtue, including when hunting the northern lights. But to maximise your chances of a sighting, bear in mind that the lights are at their most frequent in late autumn and winter/early spring (from September to late March), during the hours from 6 pm to 1 am.
Lights, camera … action!
When the light show brightens up the sky, the moment is definitely worth capturing. Photographer Christian Hoiberg has loads of experience when it comes to photographing aurora’s fleeting beauty. Click the link below to get his expert tips!
Book a northern light adventure
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Experience the northern lights
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