Aurora Borealis can be seen in 10 countries

Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is one of the most unique natural phenomena in the world. Many people in the world dream of spending the night on white snow under green or neon skies.

Although northerners in Europe and North America are lucky enough to see the Northern Lights every year, for people in the rest of the world it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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It would not be wrong to call this natural light the most beautiful light in the world.

What are Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights?

Aurora Borealis is the northern version of Aurora Polaris. It is a natural phenomenon. When electrically charged particles (protons and electrons) from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, they create a display of electromagnetic radiation, visible in the sky.

That is, the electrons in the atom move to a higher energy state and when the electrons return to a lower energy state, they release a photon, which appears to us as light.

The amount of light depends mainly on the number of incoming particles and their energy.

The polar lights in the northern hemisphere are known as northern lights or aurora borealis and in southern latitudes the polar lights are known as southern lights or aurora australis.

This light usually contains green, pink, white, red and yellow colors.

Aurora Borealis, named after the Roman goddess of the dawn, has been admired throughout history for hundreds of years.

Photo: Collected

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Photo: Collected

Where is the best place to see aurora?

Earth’s magnetic field magnetizes solar particles in polar regions around the north and south magnetic (geomagnetic) poles where the field is strongest. Thus, the number of collisions and light emission are higher near the magnetic poles.

Magnetic poles are located at and near the ends of the magnetic axis, but not exactly at the geographic poles.

That is, the higher the latitude, the greater the chance of seeing the Northern Lights, and the further north or south of the Earth you go, the brighter the aurora borealis.

Let’s know the names of 10 countries where aurora can be seen-

1. Iceland

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is from September to mid-April. Nights are ideal for viewing the Northern Lights.

Iceland has only 4-5 hours of daylight in winter. In Iceland, there are endless opportunities to see the Northern Lights during this period from late afternoon until almost noon the next day.

Another advantage of coming here in the middle of winter is that the whole of Iceland is covered in snow. Hence the crystal blue ice caves can be explored here, which are only found in a few places worldwide.

Although urban artificial light obstructs natural visibility, the northern lights can occasionally be seen from the city center of Reykjavík, Iceland.

Here are some of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland: Westfjords, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Vik North Iceland, South Iceland.

2. Greenland

In recent years, Greenland has become a popular destination for tourists to see the Northern Lights.

Greenland does not mean that the country is completely green. In fact, 80 percent of the island is covered in ice.

White snow underfoot, emerald river beside and green light in the night sky; All in all a wonderful scene.

Locals call the Northern Lights ‘Arcernerit’, meaning ‘ball game’.

According to local Inuit legend, the Northern Lights appear when the spirits of the dead play with the skulls of walruses.

The northern lights are usually visible all year round in Greenland. But they are best seen in the dark sky. So depending on where you are in Greenland they are best seen from late September to March or April.

The northern lights are often seen on non-stop flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq in Denmark.

3. Canada

The northern part of Canada is covered by the ‘Aurora Oval’. So here is a chance to see the Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights can be seen anywhere in Canada in all four seasons. But the northern region is the best place to see these lights, the northern lights are visible here most of the day.

Winter in Canada is from December to March. During this time, the Northern Lights can be seen from any city or province in Canada from 10 pm to 2 am.

But the best spots to see the Northern Lights are: Yukon, Yellowknife Alberta, Northern Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia.

4. Norway

The ideal time to see the northern lights is during the winter (September 21 to March 21) in northern Norway.

Tromsø is considered one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. If you’re in Tromsø for five or more days during the winter season, you’re guaranteed to see the Northern Lights.

In addition, Kirkenes sees the Northern Lights at least 200 nights per year.

On the other hand, the Narvik region is also an ideal place to see the Northern Lights. Aboard the Northern Lights Express, you can experience the mesmerizing lights of the world’s northernmost railway on a hilltop far away from the city’s light pollution.

5. Sweden

The village of Abisko, just across the border from Norway, is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.

Northern lights can be seen in the northern part of Sweden during the winter from the beginning of September to the end of March.

In early September, pink, green and purple lights are often seen in the skies over Kiruna and its surrounding areas in the far north of Sweden.

Around January the northern lights can be seen across Swedish Lapland. This light can be seen in late March or even early April.

The Aurora Sky Station in Sweden is a mountaintop observatory called the ‘world’s best place to see the Northern Lights’.

Kiruna is a northern city in Sweden. In winter, tourists can enjoy the luxury of viewing the Northern Lights at Camp Ripon.

Fine dining at ‘camps’ (a type of hi-fi hotel), spas, dog-sled tours and private cabins to view the northern lights make the trip more enjoyable.

6. Finland

In the Scandinavian Finnish Lapland the extraordinary northern lights can be seen.

Located north of the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is the epitome of snow-laden wilderness.

September-April is the best time to see Northern Lights here.

You can plan your trip to Rovaniemi at your convenience. After all, it’s Santa’s home, making it the ideal place for kids to remember for Christmas.

7. Scotland

The surprising but true north of Scotland is actually at the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway and Nunivak Island in Alaska. Which means Scotland has excellent opportunities to see the Northern Lights. In Scotland this light is called ‘Merry Dancer’.’

The long dark and cloudless nights of autumn and winter are ideal for viewing the northern lights in this region.

The Northern Lights can be seen from anywhere in Scotland if the weather is right. But of course, the further north you go, the better you will see. In the far northeast, Thurso and Wick are popular Northern Lights viewing bases.

But the Orkney and Shetland Islands are the best places to see the Northern Lights.

Other popular spots are: Caithness, Applecross, Lochinver, Ullapool, Perthshire, Cairngorms etc.

8. United States

Although there are 50 states in the United States, only a few northern states see the Northern Lights.

Alaska is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the US because of the desert and low light pollution, similar to northern Canada.

September to February is the ideal time to see the Northern Lights in the United States. Autumn (September-November) after the equinox is said to be the ‘Aurora Season’ across the Northern Hemisphere. But the winter (December to February) season is the best time to see the Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights are visible from 12 US states. The states are: Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Vermont.

9. Russia

Most of Russia lies in high-latitude regions north of the Arctic Circle. So the days are long and the nights are short in summer. Conversely, the winter months bring long darkness… ideal for viewing the Northern Lights!

Northern lights can be seen from several locations in the country.

The best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Russia is mid-September to late March.

Since the September and March equinoxes are peak times for aurora activity. So it is better to visit around those dates (September 20 and March 20) every year.

The Murmansk region of Russia is considered the best place to see the Northern Lights. But the northern lights are also visible in Yamal, Chukotka, Karelia, Republic of Komi, etc.

In addition, the Kola Peninsula is an important location for viewing the Northern Lights.

10. Denmark

Denmark is a great place to see the Northern Lights. The most interesting thing is that you can see the northern lights from your house.

On the night when the northern lights are most likely to be seen, cities turn off their street lights for two hours, so the northern lights can be seen even from the city.

In addition, tours to spots outside the city where there is less light pollution can see brighter and more beautiful lights.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Denmark is between October and February.

In winter, the weather is most favorable to witness this natural phenomenon. Northern lights are easier to see in low clouds and thick dark night skies.

There are some places in Denmark that offer great views of the Northern Lights. Like Aalborg, Skagen, Grenen, Samso, Gasadalur in Faroe Islands, Lake Sarvagasvatn, Bor Village, Fossa Falls, Fanningur etc.