Best Time To See The Northern Lights

Posted on: May 3, 2023 | | Written by:

Best Time To See The Northern Lights

Published on April 27, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Very few natural phenomena in the world are as captivating as the Northern lights. Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is a spectacle where you can witness waves of light dancing around in the sky. The lights can be spirals, obliques, or flickers. The prominent green and sometimes pink colours make them a phenomenon worth visiting. If you are looking for the best time to visit northern lights, here is all that you need to know.

What makes the Northern Lights special?

There are a lot of myths and legends when it comes to the Northern Lights. According to Norse legends, the lights are a result of reflections from the shields of Valkyries, who are female warriors with the power to let the dead to Valhalla. Though the sightings are rare in China, they are said to be linked to dragons. Legends say that when the lights appear, it denotes the fight between good and evil dragons.

On the other hand, some European countries associate the light phenomenon with war and not on the same positive note as some of the other legends. For example, Italy and France believe the light brought the onset of either war or plague.

Apart from all the myths and legends, the sheer rarity of the lights makes them that much more special. It is no wonder, then, that travellers and enthusiasts from all over the world keep looking for the best time to see the northern lights.

The best month to spot the Northern Lights

If you are looking for the best time to see the northern lights, you will be relieved to learn that they are visible throughout the year. However, there are certain places and timings when the possibility of witnessing the Northern lights is high.

Even though the chances of predicting them are difficult, the best time to visit northern lights is between the months of September and March. These months of autumn are ideal for witnessing the lights in the Artic circle. Since the skies are clear during this period and the solar activity is high, it increases the chances.

Areas between 65° and 70° Northern latitudes are ideal for spotting the Northern lights. For travellers who want to further increase the possibility of spotting, braving the cold months between January and March can be a good time as well. And you will need a lot of patience for spotting them. The best time to see the northern lights is usually between 17:00 to 02:00. Another thing to keep in mind is that the lights do not last for a lot of time.

So, you must stay alert.

Best place to see Northern Lights

Places that are close to the magnetic poles of Earth are ideal for seeing the Northern lights. Especially places that are close to the Arctic Circle. Some countries where you can view the spectacular phenomenon include Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and Canada. It is advisable that you opt for international travel insurance before visiting any of these countries. You can buy travel insurance online to save a considerable amount of money without compromising on the policy coverage.

The reasons behind Northern Lights

The visually spectacular Northern Lights are caused due to collision of particles from the atmosphere of the Sun. The particles from the Sun’s atmosphere are charged and collide with those in Earth’s atmosphere, thereby causing the visual marvel.

Also, the most common colour of the Northern Lights, green, is caused due to Oxygen molecules, which are present around 95 km above the surface of the earth. Similarly, red lights occur due to oxygen but at a higher altitude of 320 km from the surface. On rare occasions, blue or purple lights are visible. They are due to Nitrogen in the air. And the overlapping of these colours can result in pink, orange, and blue auroras.

The lights can, at times, be present only for a few minutes and can last for hours at other times. It is advisable to plan a trip that is of considerable length to increase the possibility of spotting the lights.

A trip to watch the northern lights can be quite expensive, given their rare occurrences and places where they are available. If there were any changes to the schedule or cancellations, it can be quite heartbreaking. Thus, one must opt for international travel insurance to avoid losses due to such events. The plan might take care of any such unforeseen incidences.

Increasing the chances of viewing the Northern Lights

Even after finding out the best time to see the northern lights, it can be a bit tricky to spot the auroras. The following are some things that you can do to increase your chance of spotting the Northern Lights.

1. Timing your trip is quite crucial. Make sure that you visit at a time when the skies are clear and dark. Higher humidity levels and unclear skies can impact your chances.

2. Apart from the best time to visit Northern lights, which is usually between September and April, you need to check the weather continuously, wind speed, solar flares, etc.

3. There are a few companies that chase auroras. You can reach out to them for help in spotting the Northern lights as well.

4. There are a few prediction apps and websites for the lights. You can use them to increase your chances during your stay.

If you are planning to travel with your family to spot the Northern lights, it is highly recommended to opt for family travel insurance . When you are planning to travel such far a destination, there are quite some chances of things becoming unpleasant, such as cancellation of flights, and hotels, loss of baggage and documents, etc. Family travel insurance for all the members will safeguard your trip.

Conclusion

The pictures of the Northern Lights only do partial justice to the natural spectacle. If you have been planning a trip, above are some of the things that you must keep in mind. Also, buying travel insurance online will help you get adequate protection for the trip.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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