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facts about northern lights

Uncovering 10 Fascinating Facts About the Northern Lights

Have you heard about the Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights? It's a spectacular, natural light show created by electrically charged particles from the Sun interacting with the atmosphere of Earth. This phenomenon happens in many parts of the world but is particularly visible in high latitudes like Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Norway and other places near the Arctic Circle.

In this article, we've uncovered some really interesting facts about this phenomenon – but even better than that? We'll discuss the science behind this magical occurrence as well as its cultural importance. There's a lot to learn about the Northern Lights – so buckle up and let's get started!

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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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1. The Origins of the Northern Lights

Ah, the Northern Lights. Those shimmering, multi-colored curtains of light that bring magic and awe to those who witness them. Did you know that the phenomenon is caused by particles emitted from the Sun? That's right—it isn't a supernatural occurrence!

Still, many of us find ourselves in wonder of this miraculous display in the night sky. To help you get better acquainted with them, here are some fascinating facts about the Northern Lights:

  1. The origins of the Northern Lights go back to a phenomenon known as the solar wind—a flow of charged particles emitted by our Sun that travel through space and interact with Earth’s magnetic field.

  2. Depending on how charged these particles are, they can be deflected around our planet or can go through our atmosphere to form colorful light displays we observe as the Aurora Borealis—the Northern Lights.
facts on aurora borealis

2. The Different Colors of the Aurora Borealis

Most of us have probably seen photos of the Northern Lights, but did you know that the Aurora Borealis can come in a stunning variety of colors? Anywhere from bright green and pink to deep purple and blue, these different colours depend on the type of gas the Sun's particles collide with in our atmosphere.

The most common color is a vivid emerald green, often mixed with pink and purple shades. But if oxygen molecules are hit by higher energy particles, they can glow blue or even violet. On rare occasions, red auroras have been spotted too—a breathtakingly beautiful sight caused by high-altitude oxygen atoms up to 250 miles above Earth's surface.
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3. When Can You See the Northern Lights?

Did you know that you can't see the Northern Lights every night? That's right—you'll need certain conditions to see those beautiful, ethereal lights.

The lights start to be visible at night 3 days after the Sun sends out solar winds, which are made up of charged particles that interact with the Earth's atmosphere. When this happens, the particles collide in our atmosphere and create light trails with each collision and create those amazing colors in the sky.

Here are some factors that you should keep in mind if you want to see the Northern Lights:
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  1. The level of activity from solar winds determines how powerful the northern lights will be
  2. The lights are present all year round but only when it's dark outside you can see them
  3. Getting away from city lights is important for a better viewing experience as any artificial light source significantly decreases the visibility of the Northern Lights
  4. It takes approximately 3 days for Sun's particles to reach Earth's atmosphere 
  5. The Northern Lights occur at higher altitudes than clouds do which is the reason why you will not be able to see the lights when it's cloudy
So make sure to bundle up and head out on a clear night during “aurora season” if you want to get a glimpse of these extraordinary natural phenomena!
facts about the northern lights

4. How to See the Northern Lights From Home

You don't have to travel far to see the Northern Lights, you can actually see it from your own home — if you're lucky. But what are the chances of seeing them from your own home?

The probability of seeing the Northern Lights
The lights usually appear as an eerie glow, but sometimes they can be so bright that you can read a newspaper in their light. The Aurora Borealis is said to be visible from 60 degrees north latitude and above, so if you live above this threshold, the chances of seeing it are greater.
facts on northern lights
Other factors
But just because you're in the right area doesn't mean that you'll automatically spot them. Other factors like darkness, cloud coverage and solar activity also come into play. If clouds are obscuring the night sky or if there's too much light pollution in your area then it's less likely that you'll see them.

The amount of solar activity also affects how often northern lights appear — Auroras happen when electrically charged solar particles enter Earth’s atmosphere and collide with gasses like oxygen and nitrogen. So if there is a high level of solar activity then the northern lights will be more frequent and visible.

It’s not impossible to see the northern lights from your house — all you need is good timing, clear skies and some luck!
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5. Mythology and Folklore Surrounding the Aurora Borealis

As fascinating as the Northern Lights are, it's no surprise that they have spawned numerous myths and legends. Different cultures have their own beliefs surrounding the Aurora Borealis, with many believing them to be a spiritual force.

In Inuit mythology, the lights were seen as spirits of the dead dancing in the night sky. The Inupiat in Alaska believed that the lights were the spirits of animals. Similarly, according to folklore from the Arctic region, a bright display meant that a white fox was running across the sky.
Modern science has debunked much of these theories—but it's still amazing how cultures spanning centuries have looked at this natural wonder in so many ways!
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6. Recent Discoveries About the Aurora Borealis

Did you know that scientists are still uncovering fascinating facts about the Aurora Borealis? It's true! Whether you're watching footage of this stunning natural spectacle or learning about the latest discoveries, you'll be amazed by what we know about the Northern Lights. Here are just a few of the recent discoveries.

Auroral Rectangle
One of the most interesting—and puzzling—discoveries about the Aurora Borealis was made in 2014. Scientists observed an auroral rectangle, which is a rare phenomenon where lights from four points of a rectangular pattern align with each other. While its cause is still being investigated, one hypothesis is that it could be due to a type of standing wave in Earth's atmosphere.
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Shifting Magnetic Fields
In 2017, scientists flew research aircraft over Alaska to study the shifting magnetic fields associated with Auroras. They discovered something unexpected: As Auroras swell and shrink, they also rotate around Earth's magnetic field lines in a clockwise direction. This finding may help us better understand how our planet interacts with space weather like solar flares and coronal mass ejections.

Mysterious ‘Jets’
Last year, astronomers used high-resolution cameras to capture footage of mysterious jets shooting up from auroras near Earth's North Pole. These jets are shaped like fingers and move faster than 100 miles per second! Scientists hypothesize that these jets could be caused by magnetic reconnection events in Earth’s upper atmosphere as generated by solar particles hitting our planet.

It's clear that there are still plenty of mysteries surrounding the Aurora Borealis—and researchers all around the world are working hard to uncover them!
aurora borealis facts

7. Capturing Its Beauty on Camera

If you've ever seen pictures of the Northern Lights, you know that it is an absolute beauty. But did you know that capturing its beauty on camera isn't actually as easy as it looks? That's right, to get an amazing picture like the ones you've seen on Instagram, there are actually a few things you need to take into consideration.

First up, you'll need a camera with manual exposure settings. You'll also need to set the shutter speed to at least 5 seconds in order for the lights to come through clearly.
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Bulb mode
Next up, when setting up your shot, switch your camera into 'bulb mode.' This will allow for longer exposure times so the colors of the Northern Lights will appear more vibrant and clear.

Tripod
Finally, make sure your camera is mounted on a tripod—because if your exposure time will be more than 30 seconds, you'll need steady equipment in order to capture clear shots of the lights in all their glory.

Now that you know these tips and tricks, capturing beautiful shots of the Northern Lights will be easier than ever!
facts about the northern lights

8. Conservation Efforts for This Natural Phenomenon

Believe it or not, efforts have been made to protect and preserve this incredible natural phenomenon. Protecting the night sky protects the visibility of the Northern Lights as well.

Firstly, there are only a few places left, where you can experience true darkness as the rest of the World is influenced by artificial lights which are decreasing the visibility of the night sky, stars and lastly the Northern Lights itself. 
facts about the northern lights
Another significant impact on the visibility of the Northern Lights are satellites reflecting the light from the Sun and so decreasing the visibility of the Northern Lights

These conservation efforts have sparked initiatives from other countries that seek to protect the Northern Lights from human interference which could damage its grandeur appearance.
facts on northern lights

9. Can you hear the Northern Lights?

You might not know this, but it's true: You can actually hear the northern lights. This phenomenon is known as "The Whisper of the Aurora" and it's an incredibly low-frequency sound made from the collision of charged particles in the atmosphere.

It's so low frequency that only animals like dolphins, whales and dogs can actually hear it—unless you're using sophisticated scientific equipment.
facts about northern lights
So why does this happen? It all comes down to magnetic fields. You see, the Earth has a magnetic field around it, and it expands into space forming something called the magnetosphere. When solar winds enter this magnetosphere, they cause disturbances in the electrical current of the atmosphere which produces electrical discharges — which then bring about these strange sounds.

Isn't science amazing? So even if you can't directly see or experience the beauty of the Northern Lights with your own two eyes, you can always listen to it.
facts about the northern lights

10. Aurora Borealis can be visible in the city but it's better to experience it in the countryside - Why is that?

You may not realize this, but you can actually see the Northern Lights in cities like Reykjavík, Anchorage, Oslo and Tromsø. But if you really want to get the full experience, then it's best to take a trip out into the countryside. Why is that?

One big reason why is that is because light pollution can make it difficult to spot the Aurora Borealis in the night sky. When you're out of town, however, you get much darker skies and less disruption from artificial lights — which means that the lights in their full glory are easier for you to spot.

Plus, when you're out in nature — with no buildings or skyscrapers around — you have a much wider view of the horizon so that your chances of seeing the Lights increase exponentially. And when conditions are right and you do see them, they'll be a sight to behold!

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.

northern lights information

Conclusion

After reading all these fascinating facts about the Northern Lights, you’ve probably got a newfound appreciation for the stunning natural phenomenon. While a lot of information can be found in research and stories, there is something special about experiencing this dazzling show of color firsthand.

Whether you’re an amateur stargazer or a seasoned skygazer, you can add the Northern Lights to your list of things to look out for in the night sky. With the right weather conditions and some luck, you may just get a chance to witness the remarkable Aurora Borealis—one of the most beautiful light shows in the world!

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