The aurora borealis, or northern lights, was so named in 1621 by the French astronomer and scientist Pierre Gassendi. Borrowing its title from the Roman dawn goddess, Aurora, and the Greek term for “north wind,” Boreas, the aurora borealis is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs in the northern hemisphere. The magnificent display of colorful lights dancing across the sky can be seen in regions surrounding the magnetic pole in the north, particularly from October to April.
The northern lights phenomenon is caused when the sun produces a cloud of gas that eventually reaches Earth’s atmosphere. This process is known as a coronal mass ejection (CME).
Once the coronal mass ejection reaches Earth, it interacts with the planet’s magnetic field. The interaction between Earth’s magnetic field and the CME results in charged particles, or electrons, traveling along the lines of the magnetic field towards the Polar Regions.
The different colors of the northern lights are produced when the electrons collide with specific elements in Earth’s upper atmosphere. Red lights are produced when the electrons collide with oxygen atoms at altitudes of 150 miles or greater. Collisions at lower altitudes produce green lights. Even lower, purple and violet lights are produced when the collision occurs at altitudes between 150 and 60 miles, while blue is produced at altitudes of up to 60 miles.
The constant collision between the electrons and the elements in Earth’s upper atmosphere at different altitudes produce a continuously shifting display of lights that appear to dance across the sky. The mesmerizing display is a major draw for tourism in regions where the northern lights are clearly visible.
In places like Alaska and Greenland the northern lights are usually visible year-round once the sun sets.
However, a great destination for northern lights viewing is Norway. Though they’re visible across the country, the best places to visit are in Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle. Stretching from the Lofoten Islands all the way up to the North Cape, there’s no other region where your chances of seeing the lights are greater.
In terms of when to visit, generally the period between October and April when the sunlight isn’t as bright is the best time. It’s important to note weather trends before planning a trip, though. Between September and November, Northern Norway tends to be wet with little snowfall, so the chances of cloud obstruction in the night sky might decrease the visibility.
December and January are usually drier months with higher rates of snowfall and the days are considerably shorter, while from February to March the daylight lasts longer.
There are many ways to experience the northern lights in Norway. Some popular options include watching the display from the sea, on snowmobile safaris or on dog sledding trips. There are also lecture series to accompany the viewing at the Polarlightcenter in Laukvik Lofoten, Norway.
Another tip to remember when planning your trip is to dress warmly. In Northern Norway, darkness occurs between 6PM and 1AM from October to March but it’s not always guaranteed that the lights will be visible. If you plan on camping outside, it can get quite cold quite fast so dress accordingly.
Additionally, though there’s a designated window for when the lights are most visible, sometimes days or weeks may go by before visitors can witness the magnificence. Be patient, check the weather trends and take advantage of everything else Norway has to offer in the meantime!
