Aurora Borealis, a once in a lifetime experience

Aurora Borealis, a once in
a lifetime experience

The Aurora Borealis has captivated people throughout history with its enchanting lights, inspiring legends and myths. It must have been a powerful and mystical event for ancient peoples, who attributed it to their gods. Today, we know that it's produced when solar particles collide with Earth's atmosphere, creating a stunning display of green, yellow, pink, and purple lights in the sky. Seeing it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves one feeling uplifted and amazed.

Planning

During your Stay

Getting
around

Reflections

Where you can see the Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis, also known as the northern lights, can be seen in several locations worldwide. The best places in the world to see the Northern Lights are once with a high frequency of clear nights and an area under the "Auroral Oval," a ring-shaped region around the North Pole where the Northern Lights are most likely to occur. Here are some popular spots to see the aurora borealis:

Norway - The northern part of Norway is one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis, especially between September and April.
Iceland - Iceland is another excellent location to see the Aurora Borealis, and the best time to see them is from late September to mid-April.
Canada - The Canadian provinces of Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut are excellent places to see the Aurora Borealis, especially in late winter and early spring.
Sweden - The northern part of Sweden, particularly Abisko, is popular for viewing the Aurora Borealis between December and April.
Finland - The northernmost part of Finland is another popular destination for viewing the Aurora Borealis, especially between September and March.
Alaska - The best places to see the Aurora Borealis in Alaska are far away from city lights, have clear skies, and are located in a high-latitude region. Fairbanks is one of Alaska's best places to see the Aurora Borealis. It is located in the heart of Alaska. It is known for its clear skies, has low light pollution and is where I chose to witness this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

It is also important to note that while these locations are some of the best places to see the aurora borealis, there is no guarantee that you will see them as they are a natural phenomenon and are influenced by several factors, including weather conditions and solar activity. Therefore, where ever you choose to witness this once-in-a-lifetime experience, planning is critical and do as much research as possible.
The dancing, colourful lights are created by solar particles colliding with the Earth's atmosphere, creating a stunning display of light in the sky. The colours typically seen in the Northern Lights include green, yellow, pink, and purple.

Increasing your chances of witnessing the Aurora Borealis

Choose the right time of the Aurora cycle: The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction follows an approximately 11-year cycle of solar activity, known as the solar cycle or sunspot cycle. The current solar cycle began in December 2019 and is expected to reach its maximum in 2025. This means that we are currently in the rising phase of the solar cycle. Therefore, we anticipate increasing aurora activity over the next few years, which may offer good opportunities to see the Northern Lights.
Choose the right time of year: The best time to see the Aurora Borealis is winter, when the nights are longer and darker. December and January are the best times; however, the peak viewing season is typically from late September to early April but will vary depending on the spot you choose to view them.
Find a location with clear skies: Aurora Borealis is best seen in areas with clear skies and little light pollution. Consider visiting a remote site away from cities and towns.
Check the weather forecast: The Aurora Borealis is more likely to be visible on clear, cold nights with little to no cloud cover. I recommend downloading an application to your phone that provides forecasts and alerts. I used 'Aurora Forecast'. However, there are many excellent applications available.
Be patient: The Aurora Borealis is a natural and unpredictable phenomenon. The lights may take some time, so be patient and watch the sky. We went out many time over the 10 days we were in Alaska and saw the Northern Lights three time. Be prepared with your camera at all times at night as you never know when the dancing lights may start.
Consider joining a tour: Joining a tour with experienced guides can increase your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis. They can take you to the best viewing locations and provide information about the phenomenon.

Getting around

If you are planning to rent a car for winter travel in a location where there is snow, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Choose the right vehicle: It's essential to choose a car that is suitable for winter conditions. Look for a vehicle with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, as this will help you maintain traction on snow and ice.
Get winter tires: Check with the car rental company to ensure that the car you are renting is equipped with winter tires. Winter tires provide better traction in snow and ice than regular tires, which will help keep you safe on the road.
Bring snow chains: In some areas, it may be required to use snow chains on your car. Even if it's unnecessary, bringing them along just in case is a good idea.
Check weather and road conditions: Be sure to check the weather and road conditions before you start your journey. If the conditions are poor, consider postponing your trip or using public transportation instead.
Drive slowly and carefully: Snow and ice can make driving more complex, so it's important to drive slowly and carefully. Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front of you, and avoid sudden movements like hard braking or accelerating.
Keep an emergency kit in the car: It's a good idea to keep it in your vehicle if you get stranded or stuck in the snow. The kit should include things like blankets, a flashlight, water, and non-perishable food.

Following these tips can help ensure a safe and enjoyable winter driving experience while travelling internationally.

Reflections

For me seeing the Aurora Borealis was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it was an amazing and unique experience. What struck me the most was that I had heard people say that the aurora moves and swirls; however, I had no idea it would be so magical and mystical like it was from another world. But, of course, it requires a combination of luck, timing, and favourable weather conditions to witness the magical dancing lights in all their glory, and I was truly honoured that I was lucky enough to see them.
The northern lights will always hold a special place in my heart because that is where my partner Michael proposed to me, under the stunning Aurora Borealis.

Aurora Borealis