One of nature’s most beautiful spectacles is the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. Over 30,000 years ago, cave paintings in France were the first to record this phenomenon. During the Northern Lights, the sun, the atmosphere, and the earth interact. As the sun emits energized electrons, they enter the earth’s upper atmosphere at speeds up to 45 million miles per hour. Electrons are electromagnetic, and the earth’s magnetic field automatically redirects them to the North and South Poles. Electrons from the sun move through the upper atmosphere to produce the dazzling colors that dance in the sky.
The dark skies and long nights make them more visible during the period from November to February. Additionally, the lights are brighter between 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., especially from 11 p.m. until midnight. Some places are also better suited for viewing the Aurora Borealis than others, this is primarily because of their northern location. Here is an overview of three magical places of where you can see the Northern Lights this winter:
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa situated in the southwestern region of Iceland. It is one of the best places to watch the Northern Lights, thanks to its surroundings – it is set in nature with minimal light pollution, making the dazzling lights easily visible. The town’s administrators and locals also monitor Aurora Borealis forecasts and dim their artificial lights when the season comes.
September through March is the best time to see the Northern Lights at Blue Lagoon. Besides watching the Aurora Borealis, you can enjoy other fun activities such as hiking, massage, and spa treatments.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, a quaint picturesque town in Alaska, is located under the Aurora Oval, an area that experiences more Aurora-related activities than the rest of the region. Besides its strategic location, Fairbanks also minimizes artificial light pollution during the Northern Lights season, increasing visibility. There are four strategic locations from which you can watch the Northern Lights in Fairbank:
- Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
- Chena Lake Recreation Area
- Cleary Summit
- Murphy Dome
Fairbanks offers many accommodation options and other essential amenities. November through January is the best time to see the lights from Fairbanks.
Aurora Sky Station, Swedish Lapland
The Aurora Sky Station in Swedish Lapland is also located in the Aurora Oval, making it another great place to see the Northern Lights. The region controls artificial light pollution during the Aurora Borealis season, and the skies overhead are usually clear most of the time. When visiting Lapland, you can also learn about the science behind the Northern Lights and see a simulation of the process inside the Aurora Exhibition. Aside from Northern Lights tours, other amenities available here include hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Did you see them from one of these three locations or from somewhere else? If you want to see the Aurora Borealis in its full glory, you don’t have to wonder where to go!
Leave a Reply