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best place to see the northern lights

Where Can I See the Northern Lights? 4 Steps to Finding the Best Location


Have you ever wanted to witness the magical spectacle of the Northern Lights? Of course you have! Who hasn’t felt the pull of these dazzling celestial waves of color when they’ve seen photos from lucky stargazers around the world?

Seeing and capturing photos of the aurora is a unique and special experience, one that many dream of, but only few get to experience. But don't worry. With a little bit of planning, you can increase your chances of seeing this wonder for yourself and capturing some beautiful photos.

In this article, we'll provide 4 steps that will help you find the best place for viewing and photographing the Northern Lights. From ascertaining your location, to identifying areas with low light pollution, to checking weather forecasts, we'll help get you up close and personal with this amazing phenomenon. So let's get started!

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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best place to see the northern lights

Step 1: Get as Close to the Arctic Circle as Possible

If you want to experience the wonders and beauty of the Northern Lights, the first step is to get as close to the Arctic Circle as possible. The reason behind this is simple—the further north you go, the more likely you are to observe this phenomenon. In addition, it’s important to keep in mind that distance from the Arctic Circle isn’t everything; the time of year and weather, too, can have an effect on visibility.

This tip is especially relevant for those seeking photography opportunities. In order to get pictures that stand out from others, getting as close to the Arctic Circle is essential—the increase in northern latitude often equates to a greater chance of catching the Northern Lights.

So if you're planning a trip to catch a glimpse of arguably one of nature's most beautiful spectacles, make sure to map out your journey accordingly and get as close to the Arctic Circle as you can for maximum visibility!
where to see the northern lights

Step 2: Check the Light Pollution Map

The second step to finding the best place to view the Northern Lights is to check the light pollution map. Nowadays, even far from cities and towns, we can be affected by light pollution. If you don't want this interference while viewing or photographing the Aurora Borealis, you should try and pick a spot with as little light pollution as possible.

Luckily, there are some great resources available like Light Pollution Map, where you can check any location for its level of light pollution.

Generally speaking, if your chosen location is far away from big urban areas and has an index of level 1 or lower (from a scale of 0-14), your chances of getting good views of the Northern Lights from that spot will increase significantly!
where to see the northern lights

Step 3: Examine Weather Forecasts for Clear Skies

Once you've located a spot with minimal light pollution, it's time to look into the weather forecast. While clouds may seem like bad news, you can still see the Northern Lights through the gaps in between clouds but it's still better to find a clear sky to enjoy the light show in its full glory. The key is to find a place with low light pollution and at the same time one where there are no clouds.

To do this, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Check your local weather report for the forecast at night, when the Northern Lights may be visible
  • Keep an eye on cloud coverage levels throughout the day
  • Also, look out for extremely cold temperatures that could make watching and photographing uncomfortable

By examining a few different weather sources, you'll be able to plan accordingly and choose a location where you have the chance to see an amazing display of the Northern Lights.
where can see the northern lights

Step 4: Find an Open Northern Horizon

The fourth and final step in your quest for the Northern Lights is to find a place with an open northern horizon.

It goes without saying, but the higher you go, the more likely you are to have a view unobstructed by mountains, trees or other obstacles. The North Atlantic Ocean may be an excellent option, since it provides an endless stretch of open sky in many parts of the world—just make sure it's dark enough at night so that you can actually see the lights!

You'll also want to pick a spot that doesn't have too many street lights, buildings or other sources of light pollution that could make it hard to see the lights. There are lots of apps and programs now on the market that give you access to light pollution maps so you can easily determine which location is best suited for viewing.

Alternatively, if you don't want to go through all this trouble or there aren't any good locations near you, local tour companies often offer trips to great Northern Lights destinations!
where can see the northern lights

Photographing the Northern Lights

Now that you know the importance of getting as close to the Arctic Circle as possible and of checking light pollution maps and weather forecasts, it's time to start thinking about photographing the Northern Lights. It’s not rocket science, but there are some tips and tricks to get some great shots.

Choose your camera
Any type of camera can work for capturing the beauty of the Northern Lights—from a basic point-and-click camera to a top-of-the-line DSLR. While many photographers use DSLRs with super long exposure settings, cameras with shorter exposures (like a point-and-click) can also be used; they just may take more photos while others may only need one or two.
where can i see northern lights
Get the right settings
You want to set your ISO at between 800 and 2500, depending on how bright the Aurora is. The aperture should be set at f/2.8 or lower, though you can go up to around f/4 if you're taking pictures of multiple subjects (like people in front of the Northern Lights). Finally, take photos in manual mode with shutter speeds varying from 4 seconds (for brighter Auroras) to 30 seconds (for dimmer Auroras).

Use tripods and remote shutters
Using a tripod will help keep your camera steady even with longer exposures; this is especially important if you plan on taking several shots. Additionally, using a remote shutter release will help reduce blurriness that might show up due to any camera shaking during long exposures.

By keeping these tips and tricks in mind, you’ll be able to take amazing photos and capture moments that will last forever!
where can i see northern lights

Tips to Maximize Your Viewing Experience and Photography Results

So now that you found the perfect spot to watch the Northern Lights, there are a few tips you should keep in mind to make sure you get the best experience and results.

First, look for an elevated spot, such as a cliff or a hill. Not only does it get you away from city lights, but you will have an unobstructed view of the sky.

Next, when possible look for scenic landscapes that can be captured along with the Northern Lights: a mountain, waterfall, lake or another object in your scene will make your photos stand out.

Also, try to use a tripod to ensure your pictures are not blurry. And when taking pictures manually use the lowest ISO settings possible in combination with higher shutter speeds.

Finally, dress warmly and bring enough batteries and memory cards for your camera—you don't want to run out when the action starts!

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.

where can you see northern lights

Conclusion

Seeing the Northern Lights is one of the most magical experiences you can have, and with a little bit of research and planning you can increase your chances of witnessing this beautiful natural phenomenon. Don’t forget to use the light pollution map, check the weather forecast and choose a spot with an open northern horizon. By following these four steps, you’ll get an epic view of nature’s cosmic stage show. All that’s left for you to do is to enjoy the show, and take in the gorgeous sight of the aurora borealis.

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