Northern Lights

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a common sight during winter months in the countries above the Arctic Circle.

They take many shapes but the Northern Lights are most often seen as curtains of light draped over the horizon or as rivers in the sky. Starting as a glow in the corner of the eye, the Aurora soon develops into a flickering, undulating glow in the distance. Then a single arc of light can appear, running across the sky and thickening, soon to be joined by another arc. These arcs of light dance together and shimmer in the heavens

Northern Lights Myths and Legends

Aurorae have danced over the poles at night for thousands of years. In the southern hemisphere the Aurora Australis was understood by the aboriginal people of Australia to be the dancing of the gods and the Maori of New Zealand thought the lights to be the reflection of campfires in the distance. The Northern Lights have been known by many names. The Finnish name revontulet referred to firefoxes in the sky brushing up sparks with their tails. An old Scandinavian name for the Aurora was “herring flash” owing to the belief that the lights were reflections off the scales of large swarms of fish. In Scotland the lights have been known as the “Merry Dancers” after the tale that they are two supernatural warriors battling for the favour of a beautiful woman.

Northern Lights Science and Facts

The Aurora is caused by particles in solar wind hitting the Earth's outer atmosphere. The reason that the lights can’t be seen closer to the equator is that the Earth's magnetic field funnels a higher concentration of solar wind towards the poles and because the particles have to hit the atmosphere at just the right angle to make the Northern Lights. Just like a football kicked at a window can either glance off the glass and bounce away, or shatter it and go straight through, so the particles from the sun can either “bounce off” the Earth's atmosphere or hit it just right and “spark” causing the Northern Lights. This is a highly simplified version of the science behind the aurora. For more information we recommend finding an electrohydrodynamist and a particle physicist for more advice or further information.

Tips on how to see the Northern Lights

• The Aurora Borealis are most common from September to October and from March to April although between these two periods there is still a high chance of a sighting.

• Light pollution and lunar glare can reduce the colours of the Aurora and so steps should be taken to avoid cities and the full moon. Having said that a view of the Northern Lights dancing over a cityscape can be breath taking.

• The longer you stay in the Aurora Zone the better your chances of a sighting are.

One way to maximise your chances of seeing the Aurora is to keep moving to try and avoid bad weather. Many of our Northern Lights holidays come with the option of a snowmobile safari or for a more sedate experience we also offer Northern Lights tours.