Chasing the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights—scientifically known as aurora borealis—have captivated humans for millennia. These dancing lights in the night sky have inspired myths, legends, and a sense of wonder that continues to draw travelers to the far north. Witnessing these ethereal displays is often described as a life-changing experience, but the unpredictable nature of the aurora makes it one of travel's greatest challenges. This guide will help you maximize your chances of experiencing this magnificent natural phenomenon.

Understanding the Aurora

Before planning your journey, it's important to understand what causes the Northern Lights. These colorful displays occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere. These collisions generate energy released as light, creating the shimmering curtains and rays we see from the ground. The most common color is green (from oxygen molecules), but depending on altitude and the gases involved, you might also see purple, blue, pink, and red.

The intensity of auroral displays depends largely on solar activity. The sun goes through 11-year cycles of activity, with more frequent and intense auroras occurring during solar maximum periods. However, impressive displays can happen at any point in the cycle—it's just a matter of probability.

Best Locations for Aurora Viewing

Iceland: Accessible Arctic Wilderness

Iceland has become one of the most popular destinations for aurora hunters, and for good reason. Its position just below the Arctic Circle, combined with excellent infrastructure and relatively mild temperatures, makes it ideal for first-time aurora viewers. The country's sparse population means light pollution is minimal outside of Reykjavík.

Key viewing spots include Þingvellir National Park, the black sand beaches near Vík, and the remote Westfjords. For a unique experience, the geothermal Sky Lagoon near Reykjavík offers the chance to watch the lights while soaking in warm waters. Winter temperatures typically range from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F), making Iceland more comfortable than other aurora destinations.

Norway: Dramatic Landscapes Under the Lights

Northern Norway offers some of the most reliable aurora viewing in the world, particularly in the Tromsø region, which sits in the middle of the "aurora oval"—the zone with the highest probability of sightings. The Norwegian landscape, with its fjords and mountains, provides dramatic foregrounds for aurora photography.

The Lofoten Islands combine accessibility with stunning scenery, while Svalbard offers the unique opportunity to see the "polar night" aurora, which can appear during the daytime when the sun never rises above the horizon in winter. The Lyngenfjord area offers pristine viewing away from city lights, with options to stay in glass-roofed cabins designed specifically for aurora watching.

Finnish Lapland: Aurora Comfort

Finland has perfected the art of comfortable aurora viewing. Finnish Lapland, especially around Ivalo and Inari, offers excellent infrastructure including glass igloos and heated aurora cabins. The frozen Lake Inari provides an expansive viewing area with minimal obstructions.

The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort near Urho Kekkonen National Park is famous for its glass igloos that allow you to watch the northern lights from the comfort of your bed. For a more authentic experience, many local Sámi guides offer aurora tours that combine cultural insights with prime viewing locations.

Canada: Vast Wilderness Viewing

The vast territories of Northern Canada offer some of the most pristine aurora viewing on the planet. Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories brands itself as the "Aurora Capital of North America," with over 240 potential viewing nights per year.

Churchill, Manitoba is famous for polar bears, but from January to March, it's also an exceptional aurora destination. The flat landscape of the Hudson Bay coastline provides unobstructed views of the entire sky. Whitehorse in the Yukon offers aurora viewing combined with hot springs and more developed tourism infrastructure.

Timing Your Trip

The prime season for aurora viewing spans from late September to early April when dark skies dominate northern regions. The equinoxes (September and March) often see increased geomagnetic activity, potentially leading to more impressive displays.

While winter offers the darkest skies and longest viewing windows, it also brings challenges like extreme cold and potential cloud cover. December through February typically offers the longest hours of darkness but also the coldest temperatures and sometimes increased cloud cover in coastal areas.

For a balance of reasonable temperatures, good darkness, and decent probability, late September/early October and late February/early March are often recommended for first-time aurora hunters.

Maximizing Your Chances

• Plan a Longer Stay: The aurora is unpredictable, and cloud cover can obscure even strong displays. Plan to stay in your chosen destination for at least 5-7 nights to increase your chances of clear skies coinciding with aurora activity.
• Use Aurora Forecasting Tools: Apps and websites like Aurora Forecast, SpaceWeatherLive, and local meteorological services can help predict both aurora activity and cloud cover.
• Get Away from Light Pollution: Even in northern destinations, city lights can diminish the visibility of the aurora. Plan to venture at least 20-30 minutes away from town centers for optimal viewing.
• Consider a Guide: Local guides know the best viewing spots and can help interpret the forecasts. They also typically have networks that share real-time aurora sightings.
• Be Ready at a Moment's Notice: The strongest displays often occur unexpectedly. Have your warm clothes and camera ready to go, and consider signing up for aurora alert services.

Photography Tips

Photographing the aurora requires some specialized techniques, but even beginners can capture impressive images with the right preparation:

• Essential Equipment: A camera with manual settings, a sturdy tripod, remote shutter release, and spare batteries (cold temperatures drain batteries quickly).
• Camera Settings: Start with ISO 1600-3200, aperture f/2.8-f/4, and a shutter speed of 15-30 seconds. Adjust based on the aurora's brightness and movement.
• Focusing: Autofocus won't work in dark conditions. Set your focus to infinity manually during daylight, or focus on a distant light or bright star.
• Composition: Include interesting foreground elements like trees, mountains, or lakes to create depth in your images.
• Stay Warm: Keep spare batteries in an inside pocket close to your body heat, and use hand warmers to prevent your fingers from becoming too numb to operate your camera.

Cultural Significance

As you plan your aurora adventure, take time to learn about the cultural significance of the northern lights to indigenous peoples of the Arctic. For many Inuit communities, the lights represent the spirits of ancestors. Sámi people in Northern Scandinavia traditionally believed the lights should be treated with reverence and not provoked by whistling or singing, which they believed could cause the lights to descend and take you away.

Many Indigenous tour operators now combine aurora viewing with cultural experiences, offering a deeper connection to both the phenomenon and the landscapes where they appear.

Practical Considerations

Dressing for Aurora Viewing

Standing still in sub-zero temperatures requires serious preparation. The key is layers:

• Base layer: Merino wool or synthetic thermal underwear
• Mid layers: Fleece or wool for insulation
• Outer layer: Windproof and waterproof jacket and pants
• Extremities: Insulated boots rated for extreme cold, wool socks, lined mittens (better than gloves), and a hat that covers your ears
• Face protection: A balaclava or face mask for extreme conditions

Hand and foot warmers can be lifesavers during long aurora viewing sessions. Consider insulated overalls if temperatures will be below -20°C (-4°F).

Alternative Activities

Since aurora viewing isn't guaranteed, plan your trip around other unique Arctic experiences:

• Dog sledding adventures through snow-covered forests
• Snowmobile tours across frozen lakes and tundra
• Ice fishing experiences with local guides
• Indigenous cultural experiences and traditional meals
• Winter hiking with crampons or snowshoes
• Visits to ice hotels and snow villages

These activities not only provide memorable experiences regardless of aurora sightings but also help support local economies that have traditionally had highly seasonal tourism.

Chasing the northern lights requires patience, flexibility, and a bit of luck. But when those ghostly green curtains begin to dance across the sky, transforming and pulsating overhead, you'll understand why this natural phenomenon has drawn travelers to the far north for generations. The magic of the aurora borealis isn't just in its scientific wonder, but in the profound connection we feel to the cosmos when witnessing this remarkable display of nature's power and beauty.