The Nothern Lights-Aurora Borealis

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are one of the most fascinating and beautiful natural phenomena visible in the night skies of the northern hemisphere. 

The colorful, dancing ribbons of light, ranging in shades of green, red, violet, and yellow, are a mesmerizing sight that has inspired wonder and mystique throughout history. 

In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the Northern Lights. We explore what the Northern Lights are and how they are formed. Additionally, we look into where to find the Northern Lights and the best places for Aurora hunting.  

What are the Nothern Lights Aurora Borealis

What is the Aurora Borealis?

The aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights, is a natural light phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere.

But what does “Aurora” mean, and where does the name “Aurora Borealis” come from? The term “Aurora” refers to the Roman goddess of dawn, reflecting the lights’ beautiful and mysterious nature.

What causes Aurora Borealis?

The Aurora Borealis, are created through the interaction between the Sun and Earth. 

Charged particles, such as electrons, are ejected from the Sun’s surface. When these particles reach Earth’s magnetic field and collide with atmospheric gas molecules like oxygen and nitrogen, energy is released in these collisions. This energy is emitted as light, forming the stunning colors and patterns of the Northern Lights in different layers of the atmosphere. 

An article by Nettimökki also highlights that solar storms play a key role in the formation of the Aurora Borealis. 

“The more solar storms occur, the more Northern Lights can be seen. The cycle of solar storm activity varies greatly, and scientists have attempted to predict their occurrence—often with limited success.”  

Can you see the Northern Lights with the naked eye?

Yes, the Northern Lights can be seen with the naked eye, but their visibility depends on several factors. 

The best chance to see the aurora is on dark and clear winter nights, far away from city lights. 

The Northern Lights often appear in various shades of green, which are easily visible to the naked eye. However, during intense geomagnetic storms, red, violet, or even blue hues can also occur, which may be harder for the human eye to distinguish. 

Cameras, however, can often capture the full spectrum of auroral colors more clearly than the human eye. As highlighted in an article by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the human eye’s ability to distinguish colors is weaker in low light, which is why the aurora may appear fainter to the naked eye compared to how they look in photographs.  

Can you see the Northern Lights with the naked eye?

Do Northern Lights happen every night?

The Northern Lights do not appear every night, as their occurrence depends on various factors, such as solar activity, geomagnetic conditions, local weather, the time of year, and the location of the observer. 

In Finland, the best chances to see the Northern Lights are in Lapland. However, as noted in the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s article “Where and when can the Northern Lights be seen?”, they are not visible every night: 

“In Finland, the Northern Lights are most commonly observed in Northern Lapland, around the latitude of Kilpisjärvi. On clear and dark nights, auroras are visible there on average three nights out of four (75% of nights).” 

Even if auroras are occurring, a cloudy sky can block them from view. Therefore, a clear sky is essential for observing the Northern Lights clearly with the naked eye.  

What time is best to see the Northern Lights?

The best time to admire the Northern Lights is late at night, typically between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM. This is when the auroras are usually at their brightest and most intense. 

We are often asked which month is the best for seeing the Northern Lights. The optimal months for Aurora hunting are from October to March, when the nights in northern regions are long and dark. During these months, solar activity is also typically at its peak, increasing the chances of witnessing the auroras.

How to know when Aurora Borealis?

As already mentioned in the article, the best time to see the Northern Lights is typically in the evening when the sky is dark and clear. 

Following the daily Aurora Borealis forecast is easier than ever before. Several websites now offer aurora forecasts based on satellites that measure solar activity and geomagnetic disturbances. Additionally, visibility forecasts also take into account weather conditions. 

You can find the daily Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis forecast for Finland, for example, here.  

How to know when Aurora Borealis?

What is the rarest color of Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are primarily green, but they can also appear in shades of violet, yellow, blue, and even red. The rarest color of the aurora is red. 

Green is the most commonly seen color in the Northern Lights, and it occurs when solar wind particles collide with oxygen in the atmosphere at an altitude of about 100–300 km. The red color also forms when particles interact with oxygen, but this happens at a higher altitude, around 300–500 km. 

Violet and blue colors appear when solar wind particles collide with nitrogen molecules. Blue is more commonly seen in higher layers of the atmosphere, while violet occurs in the lower layers. 

The aurora can also appear yellow, which happens when the solar wind particles react with both oxygen and nitrogen.  

Which direction do I look to see the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are usually best seen in the north, so when Aurora hunting, it’s a good idea to look towards the northern sky.

In the south, the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights is in as open a location as possible, where the view extends far.

Where can I see the Northern Lights aurora borealis?

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are best seen in areas located near the magnetic North Pole. Specifically, Northern Finland, or Lapland, is one of the best places in the world to witness this magnificent phenomenon. 

Lapland lies just north of the Arctic Circle, where the nights are long and dark during the winter months, creating ideal conditions for aurora viewing. An article from U.S. News also highlights Lapland: 

“Lapland is located at the northernmost part of Finland, just above the Arctic Circle. The Northern Lights can be seen here between late August and April – around 200 times a year – so there are many opportunities for aurora sightings. 

Lapland is also known as the home of the Sámi people, about 200,000 reindeer, and the home Santa Claus – all of which can be explored in Rovaniemi, the region’s largest city and a great base for aurora hunting.”  

Where can I see the Northern Lights aurora borealis?

When can I see the Northern Lights in Finland?

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can be seen in Finland, especially during the winter months, but as early as September. However, the best chances to see the Northern Lights are from November to March, when the nights are longest and the sky is darkest. This is also the period when geomagnetic activity is often at its highest, increasing the visibility of the auroras. 

If you’re wondering what time of day is best to go outside to see the Northern Lights, it’s generally late in the evening or at night, especially between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM. During this time, the sky is at its darkest, and the Northern Lights are often at their most intense.  

How to see the northern lights in Finland?

Seeing the Northern Lights in Finland is an incredibly thrilling experience, which is why at Booklapland, we’ve created a Northern Lights hunting service around this very experience. 

We organize trips for Aurora hunting with the help of a meteorologist who provides accurate and up-to-date weather information to find the best conditions for spotting the lights. As locals from Lapland, we also know the best places in the region to see the Northern Lights. 

Our success rate for Northern Lights hunting is 95%, but we also offer a guarantee: 

“If nature doesn’t reward us with the Northern Lights, we will refund 100% of the payment.” 

All you need to bring is warm clothing and a sense of adventure; we take care of everything else for you. You can also bring your own camera if you wish, but this is not necessary as a professional photographer will always be with you to capture the experience. 

Is Finland or Norway better for the Northern Lights?

Both Finland and Norway offer amazing opportunities to see the Northern Lights, but although we may sound biased, we believe that the best place to see the Aurora Borealis is definitely in Finland! 

In Finland, and especially in Lapland, the Northern Lights can be seen regularly during the winter months. And in addition to the chance to admire the auroras, Lapland itself is a true winter wonderland and definitely worth experiencing! The pure nature and beauty of Lapland are unmatched.  

Where is best to see the northern lights?

What’s the difference between the northern lights and aurora?

The Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis actually refer to the same phenomenon, but the word “Aurora” is a broader term that refers to any light phenomenon observed in the sky that occurs when particles produced by the Sun interact with our planet’s atmosphere. 

Aurora is a general term used to describe beautiful light phenomena that can occur both in the north and south. In the northern hemisphere, this is referred to as the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights, while in the southern hemisphere, it is sometimes called the Aurora Australis. 

The term “Northern Lights” is more commonly used in the northern hemisphere to describe this phenomenon. They appear especially in northern regions such as Finland and Norway.  

Sources

Nettimökki 

Finnish Meteorological Institute 

Where and when can the Northern Lights be seen? 

Aurora hunting 

Revontulet ja avaruussää 

U.S.News 

Santa’s address – where does Santa Claus live? 

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