Published 15:45 IST, December 1st 2019
Chasing the Northern Lights in Norway? Here's what you should keep in mind
Seeing the Northern Lights in Norway is a magical experience in itself. Here is a complete guide on the best time to visit and things to know before you head.
Advertisement
Getting a chance to view the Northern Lights is a magical experience. For those unknown to this spectacular phenomenon, Northern lights, also known as Aurora, is a natural display of light in the sky seen in higher altitude areas. These colourful beams of light are formed when certain particles from the sun are trapped in the Earth's magnetic field.
There are many places where one can view the Northern Lights. Some of them include Iceland, Alaska, Canada, Northern Sweden, Finland, Greenland, Tasmania, New Zealand and Norway. In polar regions, one can view Northern Lights on any dark night.
However, many consider Norway an economical as well as an ideal place to catch a view of the Northern Lights. The landscapes of Norway have an added benefit. The waves coming from the Gulf also makes the temperature of the place bearable even if it is in the Arctic Circle.
Best time to view Northern Lights in Norway
The ideal time to see the Northern Lights in Norway is during winter since there are more hours of darkness. It is essential that the region to be dark for viewing the Northern Lights. However, the best months in which you can plan your trip is from September to October. Even if there are not many hours of darkness, there is a considerable increase in solar activity which affects Northern Lights.
The best time to see the Northern Lights is between November and February. These months also have the longest dark hours in a day in Norway.
Tips to know before visiting Norway to view the Northern Lights
- The Northern Lights are always unpredictable. However, if you are lucky enough to have a clear, dark sky then you are in for a treat. In other cases, do not be disappointed and try again the next night.
- It is not necessary that the climate needs to be cold to view the Northern Lights. It is best recommended to go during winters because of longer hours of darkness which means a better view of the Northern lights.
- The Aurora showcases a plethora of colours with the major ones being shades of green. This is because of the Earth’s gases. However, the human naked eye can only see the green-yellow part of the spectrum.
- It is best recommended that you get out of the main city and drive to the outer, quieter regions. This ensures lesser air pollution which can help you get a better view of the Northern Lights.
13:00 IST, December 1st 2019