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The Aurora Borealis is considered the Holy Grail of skywatching, and rightfully so, as the allure of the atmospheric phenomenon has mesmerized people for millennia – and until last week, even actor Rajkummar Rao. Here’s a complete guide to everything you need to know to chase them in 2024.
The northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, can technically be described as a light display resulting from charged particles (electrons and protons) colliding with various gases.
This phenomenon, occurring in Earth’s upper atmosphere, produces tiny flashes that, when repeated millions or billions of times, can create an aurora “dance” in the sky. The Earth’s magnetic field drives these particles toward the poles – creating the northern and southern light phenomena – most of the “chasers” as they are called, travel around the world and emit blue-green light. Observe and enjoy the transcendental scene. The sky and sometimes, gettin’ jiggy wit it.
Recently, actors Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa shared a video from their trip to Lapland, in which the Aurora can be seen in the background. He wished everyone a Happy New Year and continued sharing photos from his Arctic Circle trip.
An experienced aurora hunter who wants to appreciate the geographical nuances or a first-time visitor looking for an ideal experience? The Northern Lights call these cities home, shining brightly in the night sky, and here’s an all-inclusive guide to chasing them.
Tromsø, Norway
Just 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø—an urban city in northern Norway—is one of the most ‘chased’ destinations for observing the northern lights. For the best convenience and culture, book into a hotel equidistant from Tromsø Airport and downtown. After a tour and a taste of everything Scandi, take a trip to the top of Mount Storsteinen on the Fjellhesen Gondola or from the balcony of a seaside house in the old fishing village of Sommaroy. An organized tour with a local guide in Tromsø is your best option, where you can choose between experience and pursuit. The main difference? The experience includes additional activities such as learning about the Sami lifestyle, reindeer sledding and more.
Best time to visit: September to early April
Ilulissat, Greenland
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed area of Ilulissat Icefjord on the shores of Disko Bay is another prominent site. Home to a group of cinema-ready icebergs carved from the Cermak Kujalek Glacier, the lights can be seen shining above the white peaks as they brighten the sky. On the big day, start with a dog sledding tour. In the evening, lace up your ice hiking boots and trek to the lookout point near Kangia Ice Fjord before heading to an igloo lodge to take in the lights above.
Best time to visit: September to early April
Lapland, Finland
In Finnish Lapland, auroral holidays are abundant, where the lights are visible approximately 200 times per year. Where to go? Think of two words, resort village. Saariselkä, Pyha, Saariselkä, Kilpisjärvi and other places offer pristine nature and clear skies to enjoy the polar lights. Enjoy a night at the Kakslautonen Arctic Resort near Saariselka, the Kahkal Hotel in Kilpisjärvi (with tailored polar night tours) or the seaside Glass Villa in Kemi.
Best time to visit: December to March
Yukon, Canada
This untouched corner of the Yukon Territory is home to dense forests, untouched natural bodies and 5000 meter high peaks spanning the north-western province. After a sip of Yukon-roasted coffee and an afternoon dip in Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, join guided viewing opportunities to see curtains of light cast over the crisp, dry ice. The Whitehorse Visitor Information Center is a must-visit to learn about Aurora and the region. As the sun sets, Fish Lake is bustling with visitors, who set up their tripods and fry up s’mores while waiting for the light to come up.
Best time to visit: Mid August to mid April
Hebrides, Scotland
The Outer Hebrides, an island chain located just west of mainland Scotland, may be the most underrated on the list. Given that this area has some of the darkest skies in the UK – even the Milky Way and the Orion Nebula can be seen with the naked eye – the islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist or Barra are prime vantage points. If you want to do your research before locking in your itinerary, keep an eye on the Aurora Watch Western Isles Facebook page for everything from weather forecasts to aurora hot spots.
Best time to visit: September to April
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Another location inside the ‘Aurora Oval’, the northern coast of Lofoten, especially the beaches, are the best places, and they are all easily accessible by the E10, Lofoten’s main road. Uttraklive, Hawkland or Vik beaches are some ideal places to visit. but that’s not all. Visiting representative Ole-Henrik A. “You can view the Northern Lights directly from your hotel or fisherman’s cabin or join unique experiences like Northern Lights Safaris on catamaran, on horseback, on foot or on snowshoes, away from light pollution,” says Rosenvinge. Lofoten, Lofoten’s official tourist board.
Best time to visit: December to March
What is the best time and place to see the aurora?
The best time to visit here is between September to March. “The short answer is that you have to live somewhere close to the Aurora Oval and go out on a clear night around midnight to see the aurora. The Auroral Oval is where the aurora is seen every night – there will always be an aurora somewhere on Earth. Places like Reykjavik, Iceland, Tromsø, Norway, Fairbanks, AK, Churchill, MB and Yellowknife, NT are places inside the auroral oval, so in those places you can see the aurora on any given night,’ says professional aurora chaser and Space physics PhD student Vincent Ledvina.
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