Live Your Best Lives
In the movie "The Bucket List", two old men with completely different life trajectories were both seriously ill and admitted to the hospital. When their lives were about to come to an end, they began to make "bucket lists" of things they had never done.
Among them, they all had one item in common: "see the northern lights".
Picture @ Screenshot of the movie "The Bucket List"
In their view, even if they have seen the world, perhaps life will only be complete if they have seen the gorgeous aurora in the night sky with their own eyes.
Yes, you must see the aurora with your own eyes in your lifetime! It is like an elf in the night sky, dancing freely and magically. When it appears, time and space seem to stand still.
This year, solar activity will bring about a three-year aurora explosion. Some time ago, there were records of auroras in Mohe and Xinjiang in my country. If you are planning an unforgettable aurora trip, then this super-comprehensive nanny-level guide to chasing the "light" must be saved before reading!
The Aurora is the most mysterious and blissful natural phenomenon on Earth. In Greek mythology, it is a symbol of dawn.
Ancient Finns believed that the Northern Lights were created when foxes ran across snow-covered hillsides, sweeping up sparkling snowflakes with their tails that stretched all the way to the sky.
In fact, the formation of aurora is closely related to the earth's magnetic field and the sun. When the sun releases solar wind, which is a type of charged particle, passes through space and eventually meets the earth's magnetic field, it releases energy and produces a luminous phenomenon.
In other words, from a scientific point of view, the aurora is a discharge phenomenon. If it encounters oxygen, the aurora will appear red and green, and if it encounters nitrogen, it will appear purple and pink. This explains why some places see green and some places see pink.
In fact, the aurora occurs all year round, but its brightness is far less than that of sunlight and city neon lights. You have to wait until nightfall. If the sky is not dark, you naturally cannot see the aurora. Therefore, the best time to observe the aurora is from 23:00 to 02:00 the next day.
In winter, the daylight hours are shorter and the dark nights become longer. For this reason, the probability of seeing the aurora is greater in winter.
Therefore, from October to March of the following year, people have a higher chance of seeing the aurora. These six months are also called the "Aurora Season", but the time to chase the lights will vary slightly in different viewing locations.
The formation of auroras is due to the intersection of the Earth's magnetic fields. Therefore, auroras are most likely to form near the Earth's poles, that is, the North Pole and the South Pole.
The aurora is more visible at latitudes above 60°. The area around 67° north latitude is known as the "Auroral Belt," which passes through many countries in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Norway, Iceland, Finland, and northern Russia, making it easy to see the aurora.
Image @NOAA, November 24 aurora distribution
If there is a solar particle explosion, even the United Kingdom and the Baltic countries can see the aurora. This year, gorgeous northern lights appeared in Mohe, Heilongjiang and Xinjiang.
As mentioned earlier, the latitude of 67° north is known as the "Auroral Belt." Therefore, if you want to see the authentic aurora borealis, we definitely recommend heading to Northern Europe! Beyond the aurora borealis, there are also breathtaking glaciers and heartwarming fairytale wonderlands...
If you are going to Northern Europe for the first time, I recommend you to choose these countries👇
Popular hotels | Snow-covered | Activities galore
Finland has been rated as "the happiest country in the world" for many years, and falling asleep under the northern lights is a unique "experience" in Finland.
Here, the winter sun disappears for several months, a period Finns call "kaamos" (polar night). In Lapland, northern Finland, the Northern Lights shine on almost every clear night between September and March, making it the place with the longest aurora viewing period in the world.
The best way to experience this season is to stay in a glass igloo or wooden house surrounded by nature, away from bright lights and buildings. Mountain tops and lakeshores are good locations.
The temperature in Finland in winter is usually between -5℃ and -20℃, and even lower in the northern region, but this is also the charm of Finland, a real kingdom of ice and snow.
Data @weatherspark
Frozen lakes, snow-capped forests, and frost-covered buildings are all unique sights in Finland during winter. It is also an ideal place for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding.
Rovaniemi is the "winter capital" of Finland. Everyone on earth knows that the real Santa Claus lives in Finland!
However, many people don’t know that Santa Claus doesn’t work only one day a year. He is on duty all year round and receives guests every day.
His global headquarters is located in Rovaniemi and is open 365 days a year. Here, children and adults can have a private conversation with Santa Claus in a magical atmosphere.
A sense of doom | Extreme landscape
Iceland, this country has the word "ice" in its name, will it be very cold in winter?
In fact, Iceland is located on the "hotspot" of the earth. The Gulf Stream flowing through the nearby area brings warm and humid air, making the temperature here not so terrible. The average temperature is between -2 and 2°C.
Data @weatherspark
Many people envy Icelanders, as if they have the privilege of seeing the Northern Lights. The entire island is located above the auroral belt, and it is the only country in the world where the aurora can be seen throughout the entire island.
Iceland has plenty of open, dark wilderness, and the inland highlands are the perfect place to admire the Northern Lights. Far away from city lights and human civilization, it's utterly silent, as if you can peer into the deepest reaches of the universe.
If you are still on a plane, and even luckier, your flight is at night, you should also keep an eye out for the Northern Lights!
Because the aurora occurs above the clouds, there is one less factor that interferes with it, and you are likely to be able to see the aurora from an airplane.
Iceland also offers winter-only adventures, including caving and glacier hiking, as well as visits to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known as "Iceland in Miniature." Here, you'll find more than just the Northern Lights, but also a wealth of terrestrial landscapes to explore.
Magnificent | Perfect temperature
Norway is located in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe, stretching north to the northernmost tip of Europe and facing Denmark to the south. Its numerous coastal islands, numbering as many as 150,000, have earned it the nickname "The Land of a Thousand Islands." Norway is also one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, with plateaus, mountains, and glaciers accounting for approximately 75% of its land area.
The Lofoten Islands, located in northern Norway, are influenced by the North Atlantic Current, resulting in a warmer climate than other areas at the same latitude. The average winter temperature is around 0°C, which is much more comfortable than -20°C.
Data @weatherspark
The entire Lofoten Islands are located north of the Arctic Circle, so as long as there is an aurora, the entire Lofoten area can be seen.
At the same time, there are magnificent fjords, rolling mountains, beaches, "forgotten" villages and other places to watch and photograph the aurora, which is really amazing.
Most of the 25,000 inhabitants of Lofoten live in small towns and villages in the central and southern parts of the islands. The long, narrow archipelago is easily accessible along the E10 highway, making it possible to view the best aurora borealis from the surrounding light pollution.
I'm sure you're already eager to visit your favorite destination to chase the aurora borealis. So, what other ways can you see more and better auroras? Take these tips for predicting the intensity and timing of auroras and get them right!
The most common way to predict the aurora is to use the aurora index (KP value).
KP is divided into ten levels, from 0 to 9. The larger the KP value, the stronger the intensity of the aurora and the wider the range in which the aurora can be seen.
Generally speaking, when KP=3, the aurora is in an active state, and when KP＞5, it is considered an aurora outbreak.
Image @European "Aurora Index" KP Index distribution map
There are many mobile phone apps that can also predict the aurora, such as Aurora Forecast, Aurora Now, etc. You can choose to download any of them to observe.
It is possible to see the aurora in any area of the auroral belt, but if you want to see a clearer aurora,
Dark skies are crucial for viewing the aurora borealis. The desolate wilderness ensures this. Camp in the open countryside, light a bonfire, and wait for the aurora.
Kind tips:
During our trip to Finland’s Aurora Borealis, we specially arranged a night to go to a lakeside campsite to chase the northern lights!
No one can guarantee seeing the Northern Lights. Some people haven't seen any after several trips, while others have experienced multiple auroral outbursts in just one trip. Therefore, chasing the Northern Lights is a matter of luck, so be sure to have a positive attitude before going. Even if you don't see the Northern Lights, winter in Northern Europe is still well worth a visit, with various winter activities and saunas that are sure to keep you entertained.
With a good understanding of the patterns and timing of auroras, tourists visiting Northern Europe are sure to encounter the most beautiful auroras. But how do you photograph them? Don't worry, I'm here to teach you!
The equipment for photographing the aurora can be summarized as: wide angle! Large aperture!
The wider the lens angle, the better, preferably below 24mm, and the larger the aperture, the better (any aperture larger than f3.5 has the chance to capture the aurora).
You can start by trying an ISO of 800 or above. After taking one or two photos, you can adjust it higher or lower. The focal length can also be set to infinity.
If you only take pictures of the aurora, the photos will be very monotonous. You should pay attention to choosing a "foreground" for the aurora. Anything from large mountains, lakes, and forests to small cabins, people, and Huskies can be used as the foreground, and the photos will be more vivid!
There are also three essential auxiliary props: a tripod and shutter cable, as well as spare batteries. With these shooting equipment and techniques, I believe you can also take aurora blockbusters in Northern Europe that will go viral on your friends' circle.
The average winter temperature in Iceland is only 0℃, while the average winter temperature in Finland can reach -20℃. Although both are in Northern Europe, the temperature difference is still very large, so let's take Finland as an example:
✓ Windproof, waterproof jacket with a hood
✓ Thermal underwear and thermal leggings
✓ Waterproof outdoor shoes ✓ Sweater ✓ Long wool socks
✓ Thick down jacket (long version is preferred)
✓ Long pants (preferably waterproof)
✓ Beanie ✓ Earmuffs ✓ Gloves ✓ Scarf
✓ Windproof and warm mask
That’s pretty much it for this guide. I hope it’s inspired you for your first Northern Lights trip! There’s more to Northern Europe waiting for you to discover.
