The Best Time to see the Northern Lights

when is best time to see the northern lights

Chasing the Lights: The Best Time to See Aurora Borealis

Have you ever dreamt of seeing the dazzling, ethereal Northern Lights? It's no surprise—they are mesmerizing! However, the Aurora Borealis can be a bit hard to predict as they require special conditions in order for them to show (be visible).

But don’t worry—you don’t need to be an astrophysicist or a professional Aurora hunter to get a glimpse of them. Here we'll give you all the info you need to know so that you can plan ahead and increase your chances of catching the Aurora Borealis at its peak!

Let us take you on this magical super-charged journey and learn all about when is the best time of the day to see the Northern Lights. We'll also give you some pro tips so that you can witness this incredible natural phenomenon in all its glory. So, let's begin our quest for chasing the lights!

How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights?

Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.

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Designed For Beginners

Mobile App

Designed For Beginners

What Is the Aurora Borealis?

Have you ever stood beneath the night sky and wondered what is causing the wave of colors to ripple across the horizon? If so, then you’ve seen the Aurora Borealis – also known as the Northern Lights. But what exactly are these remarkable lights?

The Aurora Borealis occurs when electrically charged particles (emitted by Sun) from a solar wind enter our atmosphere. These particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, causing a luminescent light show that spreads across the night sky in red, green, yellow and violet hues. This unique phenomenon is caused by collisions between electrons and atoms of oxygen and nitrogen in high-altitude locations near the North Pole – particularly Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, as well as parts of Canada and Alaska.

Factors That Affect Northern Lights Visibility

When it comes to catching glimpses of the Aurora Borealis, timing plays a key role. Whether they're visible or not depends on several factors that include the amount of solar activity, the season, the time of day, and where you are in the World.

Solar activity is the most important factor in determining Northern Lights' visibility. In order for them to appear, charged particles from the Sun must collide with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere. The intensity of these collisions can be determined using a Kp Index, a scale from 0 to 9 based on solar wind speed and magnetic field strength—the higher the number, the brighter the Aurora will be.

northern lights when is the best time to see

In terms of seasonality, autumn and winter are generally considered to be best for seeing them since nights are usually longer. This means more time to witness the Aurora once it appears. Location is also important; Northern Lights tend to be most visible across high-latitude locations such as Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

By taking into account these various factors and carefully planning your expedition accordingly, you can maximize your chances of getting an unforgettable show!

Can you see the Northern Lights during the daylight?

Unfortunately, the Northern Lights are not visible to the naked eye during the day. Why? It's because the lights appear when particles from solar winds react with atoms in Earth's atmosphere. This reaction can't be visible during daylight, because the increased amounts of light interfere with this process.

But all hope is not lost! There are still ways you can see the Northern Lights, you just need to wait for the darkness to come. The Northern Lights can be seen during the night, the darker the better.

when is the best time to see the aurora borealis

What's the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?

The best time to view the Aurora Borealis is during the period of the darkest night sky - often referred to as the "dark hours". This is when the intensity of the Aurora will be the greatest since they rely on the darkness to be visible.

Furthermore, the ideal time to view the Aurora is also when the sky is clear of clouds. Nothing can ruin an Aurora experience like cloud cover, so make sure to keep an eye out for reports of clear skies in your planned location before you head out.

Other factors to keep an eye on are the Kp Index, the level of solar activity and the season. Generally speaking, spotting the Aurora is most successful during the months of September to April and when the Kp Index reaches a level of 3 or higher. The higher the Kp Index and the darker the sky, the greater the chance you’ll see the Aurora Borealis.

If you plan your trip around these factors, you’ll be able to enjoy the most optimal Aurora viewing experience!

When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?

The best time to see the northern lights is during the darkest hours of the night, typically between 10 PM and 2 AM. This is when the stars climb up onto the night sky, making for a great view of these colorful Auroras.

At this time, the skies are usually clear (depending on the location) and free from light pollution (depending on the location), making it easier to spot those elusive Northern Lights! The best time to look for them is during the late fall and winter months when the nights are longer and darker.

Another great time to look is right after sunset and right before sunrise, as the sky is still dark but could be clear enough for some activity in the Northern Lights. Just be sure to wrap up warmly when out at night during colder months - nothing ruins a great night of chasing Auroras more than being too cold!

Tips for Chasing the Lights

If you are looking to chase the lights, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to increase your chances of seeing them.

First and foremost, you need to pick the right place. The further north you go, the better the chances of spotting Aurora. If possible, try finding locations away from light pollution – the fewer city lights in your field of vision, the more stars you’ll be able to spot hence higher visibility of the Northern Lights.

The second most important tip for chasing the lights is timing. The best time for sighting an Aurora is during the winter months from late autumn to early spring and when there is no moonlight (the visible Moon produces additional light which decreases the visibility of the Aurora). Additionally, it’s recommended that you take note of geomagnetic activity forecasts as solar flares can increase your chances of seeing a brilliant light display!

Northern Lights Online Tools: Chasing Aurora Like a Pro

The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.

Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.
The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.
Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.
Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.
Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.
If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.

Conclusion

When it comes to chasing the lights, planning is key! Knowing when the best time to see the Northern Lights is one of the most important steps in achieving a successful trip. Generally, the darkest and coldest nights over the Arctic and Antarctic regions provide the best views.

Though you may be tempted to stay up all night in anticipation, the best time for Aurora viewing is during the peak hours of 10 PM – 2 AM (in general, unfortunately way too many exceptions are in place). So, be sure to keep an eye out for the perfect clear dark sky, pack all your cameras, and warm gear and get ready for a memorable and magical night. Don't forget to breathe, observe and take it all in—for a life experience that you’ll never forget!

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