The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a breathtaking natural phenomenon that captivates people worldwide. Many dream of witnessing this celestial display, and understanding what influences its visibility is key to making that dream a reality. While solar activity plays a role, focusing solely on it might lead you astray. Let’s explore where you can reliably see the aurora borealis and how the solar cycle fits into the picture.
The sun operates on an approximately 11-year cycle of magnetic activity, indicated by the number of sunspots on its surface. This is known as the solar cycle. At the cycle’s low points, called solar minimum, fewer sunspots are observed. Conversely, solar maximum, the cycle’s midpoint, is characterized by a greater number of sunspots.
Scientists use the solar cycle to help forecast the likelihood of aurora activity. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can trigger auroras, tend to increase during solar maximum. For this reason, solar maximum is often considered the ideal time to view the northern lights due to heightened solar activity. However, it’s important to understand that auroras are not exclusive to solar maximum periods. Even during solar minimum, coronal holes can persist for extended periods. The sun continuously emits solar wind, meaning auroras are visible throughout the entire 11-year solar cycle.
Instead of fixating on the specific phase of the solar cycle, a more practical approach to aurora hunting is to consider location and timing. To maximize your chances of seeing the aurora borealis, you need to be within the auroral oval, a ring-shaped region encircling the Earth’s magnetic poles where auroras are most frequently observed.
Prime locations within the auroral oval offering excellent aurora viewing opportunities include:
- Alaska, USA: Fairbanks and Anchorage are popular destinations in Alaska known for their aurora visibility.
- Northern Canada: Regions like Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut provide vast, dark skies ideal for aurora viewing. Cities like Yellowknife are particularly famous.
- Greenland: The vast wilderness of Greenland offers stunning backdrops for the northern lights.
- Iceland: Easily accessible and offering dramatic landscapes, Iceland is a top choice for aurora seekers.
- Northern Norway: Cities like Tromsø, Alta, and Kirkenes are situated directly under the auroral oval.
- Swedish Lapland: Abisko and Kiruna are well-known aurora viewing locations in Sweden.
- Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi, Levi, and Ivalo in Finnish Lapland provide magical winter landscapes and frequent aurora displays.
- Northern Russia: Murmansk and other areas in northern Russia are also within the auroral zone, though less accessible for many travelers.
- Scotland: While further south, northern parts of Scotland, especially the Shetland and Orkney Islands, occasionally offer aurora sightings.
Beyond location, timing is crucial. The aurora season typically runs from September to April in the Northern Hemisphere. Dark skies are essential, so aim for times when the nights are long and the moon is not too bright. Clear skies are also a must, so check weather forecasts and be prepared for potential cloud cover.
It’s understandable to be excited about the current Solar Cycle #25, which began in 2020. Many scientists predict it could be a strong cycle, and indeed, 2023 and 2024 have already seen remarkably strong auroras. While this increased solar activity might lead to more frequent and intense aurora displays, remember that the fundamental principles of aurora viewing remain the same. Being in the right place at the right time, under dark and clear skies, is always the most important factor in witnessing the magic of the northern lights, regardless of the solar cycle’s peak.
