Northern Lights in Norway. The Season for Observing This Unique Phenomenon Begins
The end of September traditionally marks the first days of the "aurora season." Every year at this time, crowds of tourists arrive in the land of fjords, ready to spend long night hours waiting for this extraordinary light phenomenon to appear in the sky. We suggest where and when to go aurora hunting and how to best prepare for it.
In the photo: Northern Lights over Ringvassøy in Tromsø.
Fot. Svein-Magne Tunli - tunliweb.no (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
There is never a guarantee that you will see this extraordinary phenomenon—cloudy skies or heavy snow can make observation impossible. However, you can prepare for aurora hunting as best as possible.
The aurora (Aurora borealis, aurora australis) is a light phenomenon observed in the upper atmosphere near the magnetic poles of a planet that has a strong dipole (two-poled) magnetic field.
The northern lights appear if the night is cloudless and solar activity is sufficiently high.
When is the best time to observe the aurora?
Long, dark winter nights provide ideal conditions for observing the northern lights. The period from November to March is definitely the peak of the "aurora season" in Norway, as the nights are the longest then. However, good conditions for observing the phenomenon can already occur from September. You should avoid nights with a full moon, due to the light reflected by our natural satellite. To maximize your chances, observations should be made between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM.
The aurora is not visible in the summer, but that does not mean it is not there. During the summer months, the sky is too bright for observation, which is why you should plan your trip for the winter.
The aurora is not visible in the summer, but that does not mean it is not there. During the summer months, the sky is too bright for observation, which is why you should plan your trip for the winter.
Aurora in Norway: Watch It in These Places
Tromsø
Located at 69° N (northern latitude), Tromsø is right in the center of the "aurora zone." Every year, many tourists travel here hoping to witness this extraordinary phenomenon. The aurora can be observed from the city itself, but it is worth escaping areas with light pollution. In Tromsø, you can join one of the many organized tours for tourists eager to hunt for the aurora.
Trondheim
Trondheim is located just below the Arctic Circle, at latitude 63° N. The chance of seeing the northern lights in Trondheim is relatively rare and occurs only during strong solar activity.
Svalbard
Svalbard, a province located between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is a true kingdom of fjords, glaciers, mountains, and polar bears. The northern lights are best observed in Longyearbyen, the northernmost city in the world. From the end of October to mid-February, this place is shrouded in the darkness of the polar night.
Located at 69° N (northern latitude), Tromsø is right in the center of the "aurora zone." Every year, many tourists travel here hoping to witness this extraordinary phenomenon. The aurora can be observed from the city itself, but it is worth escaping areas with light pollution. In Tromsø, you can join one of the many organized tours for tourists eager to hunt for the aurora.
Trondheim
Trondheim is located just below the Arctic Circle, at latitude 63° N. The chance of seeing the northern lights in Trondheim is relatively rare and occurs only during strong solar activity.
Svalbard
Svalbard, a province located between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is a true kingdom of fjords, glaciers, mountains, and polar bears. The northern lights are best observed in Longyearbyen, the northernmost city in the world. From the end of October to mid-February, this place is shrouded in the darkness of the polar night.
A dim but photogenic #aurora at 5 pm north of Tromsø, Norway on Nov 7 from #Hurtigruten ship Nordlys @DestiNorway @HurtigrutenUK @twanight pic.twitter.com/nGYIblNsJW
— Alan Dyer (@amazingskyguy) November 7, 2017
How to Prepare for Observation?
First and foremost, you should regularly check the weather forecast. One of the most accurate services in Norway is Yr. Cloud cover, heavy snow, or strong downpours can ruin your plans to watch the aurora spectacle.
Several services can help you plan your observation, such as Aurora Forecast, which allows you to track space weather and check the so-called "auroral oval," the area where the northern lights may appear in Europe and worldwide at any given moment. Other useful sites include SolarHam, which provides a reliable 3-day geomagnetic forecast used by aurora hunters, and Norway Lights.
The northern lights are best viewed outside city centers—city lights interfere with observations. Waiting for the aurora to appear can sometimes take several hours. It's a good idea to dress warmly and bring a thermos with a hot drink.
Several services can help you plan your observation, such as Aurora Forecast, which allows you to track space weather and check the so-called "auroral oval," the area where the northern lights may appear in Europe and worldwide at any given moment. Other useful sites include SolarHam, which provides a reliable 3-day geomagnetic forecast used by aurora hunters, and Norway Lights.
The northern lights are best viewed outside city centers—city lights interfere with observations. Waiting for the aurora to appear can sometimes take several hours. It's a good idea to dress warmly and bring a thermos with a hot drink.
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