What are the Auroras or Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are discharged particles from the sun that pass through the magnetic shield of earth and create light when they mix with atoms and molecules such as nitrogen and oxygen gases on entering into the earth's atmosphere. These particles travel 149 million kms or 93 million miles through space towards planet earth being drawn towards the earth's magnetic north and south polar regions.
The colours of the Aurora
As the solar wind particles enter the earth's atmosphere they collide with molecules of nitrogen and oxygen which relinquish their agitated energy in the form of light. Oxygen typically produces green and yellow light while nitrogen produces reds, violets and occasionally blue. Violets typically form a boarder around curtains of green aurora shapes in lower altitudes.
The Aurora shapes
The Northern Lights can be both static and dynamic throughout the night sky. During periods of minimum solar flares the aurora can produce a blanket strip type of light without much definition or varying colour. However during periods of strong solar flares the light becomes dynamic which swirls, dances and even races in curtains and columns in a random path throughout the sky. The colours merge and diverge from greens to reds and violets. The sight is spectacular beyond belief.
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are discharged particles from the sun that pass through the magnetic shield of earth and create light when they mix with atoms and molecules such as nitrogen and oxygen gases on entering into the earth's atmosphere. These particles travel 149 million kms or 93 million miles through space towards planet earth being drawn towards the earth's magnetic north and south polar regions.
The colours of the Aurora
As the solar wind particles enter the earth's atmosphere they collide with molecules of nitrogen and oxygen which relinquish their agitated energy in the form of light. Oxygen typically produces green and yellow light while nitrogen produces reds, violets and occasionally blue. Violets typically form a boarder around curtains of green aurora shapes in lower altitudes.
The Aurora shapes
The Northern Lights can be both static and dynamic throughout the night sky. During periods of minimum solar flares the aurora can produce a blanket strip type of light without much definition or varying colour. However during periods of strong solar flares the light becomes dynamic which swirls, dances and even races in curtains and columns in a random path throughout the sky. The colours merge and diverge from greens to reds and violets. The sight is spectacular beyond belief.
When and where to see the Northern Lights
The auroras can be seen at the polar regions of the north and south pole. However the south pole is largely inaccessible to human life and the north polar region is easily accessed from Europe. The best chance you have is to visit the latitudes in the Arctic Circle from 68 to 74 degrees. Alaska and parts of Canada are also good for sightings but due to the great vast open expanses of these countries it can make a visit to them an real logistical expedition. Norway and the northern parts of Scandinavia are easily accessible and provide one of the best places in the world to witness auroras or northern lights in Norway. When - during the winter season as this is due to the low light pollution and crystal clear air. The auroras occur all year round but we need nightfall to see it as the sun's light during the day overpowers the northern lights. The Aurora activity seems to be at it's most active late evening between 10pm and 1am but can be seen in the afternoons during the polar winter above the Arctic circle.
Your chances of seeing the Aurora - northern lights
During autumn and winter there is a strong chance to see the aurora during the evenings. Periods of high pressure weather systems are best as they present clear cold skies, a low moon and no urban lighting is an advantage. A close look on the satellite observations of the sun are important and it is possible to forecast the aurora activity within three days accuracy as NOAA polar satellites monitor the aurora activity and solar storms on the sun.
The auroras can be seen at the polar regions of the north and south pole. However the south pole is largely inaccessible to human life and the north polar region is easily accessed from Europe. The best chance you have is to visit the latitudes in the Arctic Circle from 68 to 74 degrees. Alaska and parts of Canada are also good for sightings but due to the great vast open expanses of these countries it can make a visit to them an real logistical expedition. Norway and the northern parts of Scandinavia are easily accessible and provide one of the best places in the world to witness auroras or northern lights in Norway. When - during the winter season as this is due to the low light pollution and crystal clear air. The auroras occur all year round but we need nightfall to see it as the sun's light during the day overpowers the northern lights. The Aurora activity seems to be at it's most active late evening between 10pm and 1am but can be seen in the afternoons during the polar winter above the Arctic circle.
Your chances of seeing the Aurora - northern lights
During autumn and winter there is a strong chance to see the aurora during the evenings. Periods of high pressure weather systems are best as they present clear cold skies, a low moon and no urban lighting is an advantage. A close look on the satellite observations of the sun are important and it is possible to forecast the aurora activity within three days accuracy as NOAA polar satellites monitor the aurora activity and solar storms on the sun.