Where and when you can see the northern lights

Hunters for the northern lights - there is something desperate and romantic in this. If you love traveling, you are not afraid of difficulties, and you want to see the most bewitching natural phenomenon with your own eyes, this guide article will help to make your dream a reality. Let's see where you can see the northern lights, and what expert advice you need to follow in order to witness a unique spectacle.

General information about the natural phenomenon

From a scientific point of view, this is a glow that appears at an altitude of 80 to 100 km as a result of the interaction of molecules in the atmosphere with charged particles of energy penetrating into the atmospheric envelope from space. In other words, the streams of sunlight, reaching the layers of the atmosphere, cause a bright glow of nitrogen and oxygen atoms.

You can observe a natural phenomenon near magnetic poles, namely in an area limited to 67 and 70 degrees of latitude.

It is difficult to see the northern lights at the magnetic pole in the southern hemisphere due to the fact that there are no places suitable for human habitation in these latitudes. In the northern part of the planet you can find dozens of places with ideal conditions for observing a unique phenomenon.

How to see the aurora - practical recommendations

Be prepared for the fact that this is too rare. To see it, you will need to put together a lot of circumstances into a single puzzle. It is likely that you will have to travel north to no avail. However, following simple guidelines will increase your chances of success.

When is the shining

The season of heavenly glow is called the period from the third decade of September to the end of March. The peak of activity occurs in the cold season - from November to February. In winter, the longest nights begin in the northern latitudes - 18-20 hours each, so the slightest glow in the sky will be clearly noticeable and you can take a bewitching, magical photo of the northern lights.

It is important! The further north you advance, the more likely it is to see the phenomenon in March and even in April. The ideal time is a clear, frosty night, from 21-00 to 23-30. At this time, the magnetic oscillations of the poles are maximum.

Watch activity on the surface of the Sun

This is the main condition for the appearance of a natural phenomenon in the sky. After solar activity, 2 to 5 days should pass — during this time, the flow of energy reaches the Earth’s surface. The more powerful the surge, the greater the chance of success. There are websites on the Internet where relevant information is displayed.

It is important! The magnetic activity of the Sun is indicated by the K-index, which ranges from 1 to 9. A favorable condition for the appearance of luminescence is considered to be a K-index of at least 4.

Get away from the city

In cities, a large number of electric lights that disrupt the contrast of the night sky and interfere with observation. In large cities, the probability of seeing the radiance tends to zero, in which case you will need to leave the city at a distance of 50 to 70 km. If you are in a small village, it’s enough to drive 5-10 km away.

Only clear weather.

Aurora borealis appears at an altitude of 80-100 km, the cloud cover is lower, so the clouds completely hide the glow. In frosty weather, as a rule, the cloud cover is minimal, respectively, the chances of success are greater.

Follow strictly north

Moving away towards the north, you inevitably approach your dream.

What you need on a trip

• Car. It can be your own car or a rented vehicle. Given the difficult climatic conditions of the zone where you have to be, the car will not only provide comfortable movement, but also warm.
• Stock up on gas. Fill the tank and take a few cans, since the car will not have to be jammed to maintain a comfortable temperature in it.
• Hot drinks in a thermos. In no case do not take alcohol, as it warms for a short time. Better leave the alcoholic drink to return home to celebrate success.
• Footwear. Pay special attention to the choice of shoes, because you will have to stand in the snow for a long time.
• Tripod. If you want to make high-quality photos and videos of the northern lights, you can not do without a tripod.
• Spare batteries. In cold weather, batteries run out too quickly, stock up with the necessary number of spare kits to replace them if necessary in a flashlight, phone, camera, camcorder. Keep them in a warm place.
• Professional camera. Theoretically, an ordinary soap dish will do, but is it worth it to go such a long and difficult way to take a few fuzzy, blurry photos? You travel in order to capture a real natural miracle, therefore professional photo and video equipment is the best choice.

Where is the northern lights visible

We got to the most interesting - where you can see the northern lights.

Where can I see the northern lights in Russia

In Russia, unlimited opportunities open up for hunters of polar light, because almost half of the country crosses the Arctic Circle. However, it’s almost impossible to get to some places in winter and the weather conditions become too harsh (temperatures below -45 degrees are not a test for faint travelers).

The best choice is to fly from Moscow or St. Petersburg by plane to the Arkhangelsk or Murmansk regions. Such a trip is not only convenient in terms of climatic conditions, but will cost less than a trip to Taimyr or Chukotka.

Murmansk

This is the closest place to the capital of Russia. The train will take from 30 to 35 hours, and you will fly by plane in 2 hours. Here you can stay in any small town, the main thing is that in cold weather there is a transport connection. Remember that you have to drive a car.

Pay attention to the village of Teriberka, the village of Vidyaevo, the urban village of Pechenga. A plane ticket to Murmansk will cost an average of 7-8 thousand rubles, if you follow from Moscow. Then you need a car.

Do not be alarmed by harsh temperatures, in the Murmansk region you can observe a wonderful phenomenon from September at a temperature just below +10 degrees.

At first glance, a scientific trip can be turned into entertainment and visit the Khibiny mountains. This is a great place for skiing in the mountains. Pay attention to the recreation center Kuelporr, you can get to it from Kirovsk by snowmobile.

Arhangelsk region

The main advantage of Arkhangelsk and the surrounding settlements is mostly clear weather, the northern lights are clear and bright. Travelers come here from September to April.

Many experts claim that even in the city itself you can see a glow in the sky, however, in terms of intensity and color saturation, it significantly loses its radiance in the Murmansk region.

The route is better laid through Moscow or St. Petersburg. The flight will cost 6-7 thousand rubles. Rest diversifies a visit to the open-air sculpture museum. The best photos are taken on the coast of the Northern Dvina.

Yakutia

People come here who are resistant to extremely low temperatures, because here is the epicenter of the coldest climate not only in Russia, but throughout the planet.

In anticipation of the northern lights, you can go skiing, rafting on the rivers, climb the mountain peaks. Fans of comfort will certainly be interested in a cruise on the Lena River.

Taimyr Peninsula

One of the tested places in Russia, where the northern lights are often, is the Taimyr Nature Reserve. There are almost no traces of human activity. In the immediate vicinity of the conservation zone, infrastructure is developed - rafting is carried out on the river, walking and snowmobiling. If you have enough time and money in reserve, be sure to go to the administrative center of the reserve - Khatangu.

Northern Lights in Norway

The best time to visit Norway is from December to February. In addition to the radiance in the sky, there is another natural phenomenon - a blue glow in the daytime.

It is best to go on a cruise traveling on a liner along the coast of Norway. Choose a route from Tromso to Trondheim. A four-day tour costs an average of 500 euros.

You can visit the polar center, located in Norway on the island of Eustvogey in the small village of Laukvik. Here you will enjoy the heavenly glow, visit exhibitions and presentations devoted to the natural phenomenon.

You can travel directly from Moscow by boat to the Svalbard archipelago, located just an hour and a half from the North Pole. Similar expeditions are organized in Norway. Regular flights depart from Oslo to the capital of the archipelago - Longyearbyen.

If you do not want to leave the continental part of Norway, visit the cities of Tromso and Alta.

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Aurora Borealis in Iceland

Until recently, Iceland was considered exotic and unattainable to the ordinary traveler. However, it is here that you can often see the northern lights.

Start your journey from the town in the south of Iceland - Stokesyri, which is located just 60 km from the city of Reykjavik.

Here you can visit the Wonderland Center of Iceland, listen to fascinating stories about fabulous creatures and try a drink from the ice of a real glacier. After a portion of miracles, travelers travel to the Ghost Center. Now you can start the hunt for a wonderful natural phenomenon.

The most desperate guests of Iceland go to the lagoon with the Jökulsaurloun glaciers. Here you will find picturesque nature and many wonders - waterfalls, geysers, thermal springs.