The northern lights are one of the most magical, sought-after natural wonders in the
world. Many people dream of seeing them in the night sky. If that’s you, we’re here to
help! Get ready to chase the northern lights and see a spectacular celestial show
with the following tips.
Travel to an Optimal Viewing Location
The northern lights have reached as far south as Italy in the past, but you can’t count
on a solar storm that strong to occur during your hunt. Therefore, better your
chances by traveling north!
The best locations are in the arctic circle, which includes parts of Alaska,
Scandinavia, and Russia. Some popular destinations include Tromsø in Norway and
Swedish Lapland.
However, getting close to the arctic circle is good enough if you’re chasing the
northern lights during peak season. You’re almost guaranteed to see the show if you
visit the following places just south of the circle:
Fairbanks, Alaska
Churchill, Canada
Reykjavík, Iceland
Remember To Visit During Peak Season
As we already mentioned, going to peak locations is only half of the strategy. You
also have to visit during peak viewing months.
The northern lights shine brightest and most often between September and March.
Nights stretch longer, and skies grow darker during these months, providing the ideal
conditions for seeing and photographing the northern lights.
Pro Tip
Dress warmly because you will have to spend hours outdoors at night!
Know What To Look For
The dazzling, dancing displays of green, purple, and pink aren’t representative of the
majority of aurora events. Usually, the northern lights appear as fog-like apparitions
with a pale green hue. Sometimes, the fog dances, and sometimes, it simply
meanders like a river through the sky.
That said, seeing a bright and colorful display is extremely likely if you go to a top
location during peak viewing months. If the solar storm is strong enough, the
atmosphere has the right particulate composition, and the skies are clear, you will
see bold ribbons of green ripping through the night sky.
Be Patient
One major thing that a lot of people don’t realize is that the northern lights are never
guaranteed. As we mentioned, their visibility depends on location, atmospheric
conditions, solar storm events, and, honestly, a bit of luck.
Therefore, you shouldn’t feel discouraged if you plan your trip exactly right to
maximize your viewing chances and still don’t get to witness the spectacle. This can
unfortunately happen. However, there are always other opportunities.
Plus, following the advice in this article will give you an extremely good shot at
witnessing the spectacle. Odds are that you will get it right on the first try; you should
just calibrate your expectations to the possibility of it not happening. However, if you
keep trying, you will eventually see the northern lights!
