Where Is The Best Viewing Of The Northern Lights?

The Ultimate Guide to Viewing the Northern Lights in 2024 and 2025

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are one of nature’s most breathtaking displays. These colorful ribbons of light, dancing across the night sky, have captivated people for centuries. If you’re planning a trip to see this mesmerizing phenomenon, it’s important to know the best places and times to increase your chances of a successful sighting.

When to See the Northern Lights

The northern lights occur year-round, but they are only visible in the night sky from September through April, when it’s dark enough to see them. The most active period is typically between March and September, with a peak around the spring and fall equinoxes in March and September.The best time of night to see the northern lights is usually between 10 pm and 2 am, as this is when the lights are most active and visible. However, they can appear at any time of night, so it’s important to be patient and keep a lookout throughout the evening.

Where to See the Northern Lights

The northern lights are most commonly seen in the “auroral oval”, a ring-shaped region centered around the Earth’s magnetic north pole. This area includes parts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Some of the best places to view the northern lights include:

1. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
2. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
3. Reykjavik, Iceland
4. Tromsø, Norway
5. Abisko National Park, Sweden
6. Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland

Let’s take a closer look at each of these top destinations:

1. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

Fairbanks is one of the most popular destinations for northern lights viewing in the United States. Located just 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks experiences the northern lights on more than 240 nights per year. The best places to view the lights around Fairbanks include:

• Chena Hot Springs Resort, about an hour’s drive from Fairbanks, offers a perfect combination of northern lights viewing and relaxation in their natural hot springs.
• Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, a former dairy farm just minutes from downtown Fairbanks, is a great spot for northern lights photography.
• Murphy Dome, a 2,169-foot peak northwest of Fairbanks, provides panoramic views of the northern lights.

2. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, is another top destination for northern lights viewing. Located on the shores of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife experiences the northern lights on an average of 240 nights per year. Some of the best places to view the lights around Yellowknife include:

• Aurora Village, a northern lights viewing site about 20 minutes from Yellowknife, offers heated teepees and a panoramic view of the night sky.
• Prosperous Lake, a scenic spot about 10 minutes from Yellowknife, is a popular location for northern lights photography.
• Yellowknife River, a remote area about an hour’s drive from Yellowknife, provides a peaceful setting for northern lights viewing.

3. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is a great starting point for northern lights viewing in Iceland. While the lights are not visible from the city itself due to light pollution, there are many tour operators that offer northern lights viewing excursions from Reykjavik to nearby locations. Some of the best places to view the lights around Reykjavik include:

• The Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a scenic area about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik, offers stunning views of the northern lights over the ocean.
• The Reykjanes Peninsula, a volcanic area about 45 minutes from Reykjavik, is a great spot for northern lights viewing and photography.
• The Golden Circle, a popular tourist route about an hour from Reykjavik, includes several locations that are well-suited for northern lights viewing.

4. Tromsø, Norway

Tromsø, a city in northern Norway, is known as one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights. Located about 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø experiences the northern lights on an average of 200 nights per year. Some of the best places to view the lights around Tromsø include:

• Mount Storsteinen, accessible by the Fjellheisen cable car, offers panoramic views of the northern lights over the city.
• Kvaløya, an island just west of Tromsø, is home to several scenic spots for northern lights viewing, including Ersfjordbotn and Grøtfjorden.
• Lyngsfjord Adventure, a tour operator based in Tromsø, offers northern lights viewing excursions to remote locations in the surrounding fjords.

5. Abisko National Park, Sweden

Abisko National Park, located in northern Sweden, is known for its clear skies and frequent northern lights displays. The park experiences the northern lights on an average of 170 nights per year. Some of the best places to view the lights in Abisko include:

• The Aurora Sky Station, accessible by chairlift, offers panoramic views of the northern lights and a heated indoor viewing area.
• Lake Torneträsk, a large lake just outside the park, is a popular spot for northern lights photography.
• Abisko Canyon, a scenic gorge within the park, provides a dramatic backdrop for northern lights viewing.

6. Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland

Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is a popular destination for northern lights viewing and winter activities. Located just south of the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi experiences the northern lights on an average of 150 nights per year. Some of the best places to view the lights around Rovaniemi include:

• Ounasvaara Ski Resort, just a few kilometers from Rovaniemi, offers panoramic views of the northern lights from its ski slopes and hiking trails.
• Ranua Wildlife Park, about an hour’s drive from Rovaniemi, is home to a variety of Arctic animals and provides a unique setting for northern lights viewing.
• Luosto Amethyst Mine, about 1.5 hours from Rovaniemi, offers northern lights viewing tours and the opportunity to explore an amethyst mine.

Planning Your Northern Lights Trip

When planning a trip to see the northern lights, there are several factors to consider:

1. Time of year: The northern lights are visible from September through April, with the most active period typically between March and September.
2. Location: Choose a destination within the auroral oval, such as Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, or Finland.
3. Weather: Check weather forecasts for clear skies and low cloud cover to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights.
4. Solar activity: Monitor solar activity levels, as periods of high activity can lead to more frequent and vibrant northern lights displays.

To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights, consider booking a guided tour or joining a northern lights viewing group. Many tour operators offer excursions to remote locations with minimal light pollution and provide expert guidance on when and where to view the lights.

Photographing the Northern Lights

Capturing the northern lights on camera can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Here are some tips for photographing the northern lights:

1. Use a DSLR camera with manual settings: A camera with interchangeable lenses and the ability to shoot in manual mode is ideal for northern lights photography.
2. Use a wide-angle lens: A lens with a focal length of 14-50mm on a full-frame camera or 10-40mm on a crop-sensor camera works well for northern lights photography.
3. Use a tripod: A sturdy tripod is essential for long exposures and to avoid camera shake.
4. Shoot in RAW format: RAW files provide more flexibility for post-processing and allow you to capture the full dynamic range of the northern lights.
5. Adjust your camera settings: Use a wide aperture (f/2.8 to f/4), a long shutter speed (1-15 seconds), and a high ISO (500-2000) to capture the northern lights.

Remember to experiment with different settings and compositions to find what works best for your camera and the specific conditions you’re shooting in.

FAQ

1. What causes the northern lights?
   The northern lights are caused by collisions between charged particles from the sun and gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions occur in the upper atmosphere, typically at altitudes between 60 and 250 miles.
2. Can I see the northern lights from anywhere in the world?
   No, the northern lights are only visible from locations within or near the auroral oval, which is centered around the Earth’s magnetic north pole. The best places to see the northern lights are in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
3. What is the best time of year to see the northern lights?
   The northern lights are visible from September through April, with the most active period typically between March and September. The best time of year can vary depending on your location, but generally, the equinoxes in March and September tend to be the most active.
4. How do I know if the northern lights will be visible on a particular night?
   There are several factors that can affect the visibility of the northern lights, including solar activity, weather conditions, and your location. To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights, monitor solar activity levels and weather forecasts, and choose a destination within the auroral oval.
5. What should I wear to see the northern lights?
   When viewing the northern lights, it’s important to dress warmly in layers to protect against the cold temperatures, especially in the winter months. Wear thermal underwear, a warm hat, gloves, and sturdy boots. Bring a warm blanket or sleeping bag to wrap up in while waiting for the lights to appear.

In conclusion, the northern lights are a breathtaking natural phenomenon that can be seen from several destinations within the auroral oval. By planning your trip carefully, monitoring weather and solar activity, and choosing a suitable location, you can increase your chances of witnessing this mesmerizing display of light in the night sky