What are the Northern Lights and how can I see them?

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are some of the most enchanting phenomena visible in Earth’s sky. People have journeyed thousands of miles, braved bitterly cold winters, and stood in awe under starry firmaments in hopes of glimpsing these ghostly, dancing illuminations. Whether you’ve encountered these lights in person or have only admired them in photographs and documentaries, there’s a whole world of science, legend, geography, and cultural meaning hidden behind these shimmering curtains of color. Below, we’ll dive deep into some fun and fascinating facts about the northern lights, discuss how and when to see them, and even explore tips for capturing them on camera.

My Dad grew up in rural northern Maine, so I had heard many stories of the northern lights in my childhood. It wasn’t until later in my adulthood that I saw and heard more of my friends witnessing them on social media that peaked my curiosity in the lights. In February of 2023, me and my friend flew to Iceland to finally get a glimpse of the lights in one of the most stunning landscapes on earth. Its safe to say our mission was successful. We had some of the most incredible conditions for days. Clear skies, active Aurora. It was amazing.

Me standing under the Aurora in Iceland. Feb, 2023, photo taken by Peter Forister.

What Are the Northern Lights?

At the core, the northern lights are a natural light display that occurs in the Earth’s high-latitude regions, typically near the Arctic Circle. This phenomenon is primarily driven by activity on the Sun: our closest star regularly emits charged particles called solar wind, which travel through space at incredible speeds. When these charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s upper atmosphere—primarily oxygen and nitrogen—they excite those gases, causing them to glow. The result is an incredible display of shimmering ribbons, arcs, and curtains of light dancing across the sky. One of the only other things I have had the chance to witness that was more evocative and awe-inspiring as intense aurora was the Solar eclipse in April of 2024.

Fun Fact: The Earth’s magnetic field channels these charged particles toward the poles, which is why we see aurora predominantly near the Arctic (northern lights) and Antarctic (southern lights, or aurora australis) regions.

“Majesty” - A fine art print by Darin Deveau

The Science Behind the Colors

You’ve likely seen photos of the northern lights in varying shades of green, pink, purple, red, and sometimes even blue. These colors come from the type of gas that the solar wind particles interact with and the altitude at which the collisions occur:

• Green: The most common auroral color is green. This hue is produced when charged particles collide with oxygen atoms about 100–300 km above Earth’s surface. Green is so common that it often dominates the auroral palette.

• Red: At higher altitudes, above 300 km, oxygen can also produce a red glow. This is rarer to see because it requires a more specific set of atmospheric conditions and intense solar activity. When red does appear, it can look haunting and ethereal, casting a crimson shade across the sky.

• Blue and Purple: Nitrogen is responsible for the lovely blues and purples sometimes observed. Lower-altitude nitrogen collisions can produce blue light, while ionized nitrogen can yield purple and magenta hues.

Fun Fact: The brightness and intensity of auroral colors are influenced by the strength of the solar wind and the density and composition of Earth’s atmosphere at any given time. A strong solar storm can produce vivid displays of multiple colors dancing together.

“The Great Beyond” - A fine art print by Darin Deveau

Best Places and Times to See the Northern Lights

You don’t have to be exactly at the North Pole to see the aurora borealis, but you do need to be relatively far north. Some of the best places to catch them include:

• Northern Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland): The region above the Arctic Circle provides some of the most reliable viewing opportunities, especially between October and March. Finnish Lapland, for example, is known for frequent sightings.

• Iceland: With its dramatic landscapes and long winter nights, Iceland offers excellent viewing conditions. From late September through March, the nights are dark enough, and if the weather is clear, you might be rewarded with a spectacular show.

• Canada and Alaska (USA): Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Alaska’s Fairbanks region are great viewing areas. Cold, clear nights often produce brilliant displays.

• Scotland and Northern Russia: While not always as intense as regions closer to the pole, certain northern areas occasionally offer glimpses of the aurora’s green glow.

Timing: The northern lights aren’t exclusive to winter, but the long, dark nights of the colder seasons in the northern hemisphere certainly make them easier to see. In general, the period from late September through late March, especially around midnight under a clear, dark sky, is ideal. Aurora are more active around the equinoxes, when solar activity and Earth’s magnetic field interactions peak. We are currently in the peak of an 11-year solar cycle. In a few more years, solar (and thus, auroral) activity will be significantly diminished in the lower latitudes.

While your best bet for seeing these stunning displays of light are in the northern latitudes, don’t write off your own backyard! In 2024 I have photographed Aurora in Virginia and West Virginia. Both occasions, the Aurora was visible naked-eye. The storm in May was so intense, I am still, and always will be in awe of what I saw that day. Naked-eye auroral pillars overhead in Virginia is not a common occurrence. Maybe once in a generation.

“Raven’s Roost” - A fine art print by Darin Deveau

Myths, Legends, and Cultural Interpretations

The northern lights have captivated human imagination for centuries. Different cultures developed their own myths and legends, often viewing the aurora as messages from the spiritual realm or manifestations of their ancestors. A few examples:

• Inuit Traditions: Some Inuit communities believed the aurora were the spirits of their ancestors playing a game in the night sky—perhaps a version of celestial soccer with a walrus skull as the ball.

• Viking Lore: Norse mythology sometimes associated the aurora with the shimmering armor of the Valkyries, the female warriors who chose which warriors would live or die in battle. The lights were thought to be reflections of their swords and shields as they soared across the sky.

• Finnish Folklore: In Finland, the aurora borealis is sometimes called “revontulet,” or “fox fires.” One legend explains that a magical fox ran across the northern landscapes, its tail brushing against the snow and sending sparks into the sky, causing the lights.

These cultural interpretations highlight the aurora’s universal ability to inspire awe and feed the human imagination. Even today, modern travelers often report feeling a deep sense of wonder and spiritual connection when witnessing the aurora’s graceful movements.

“Connection with the Cosmos” - A fine art print by Darin Deveau

Aurora on Other Planets

Aurora isn’t limited to Earth. In fact, any planet with a magnetic field and an atmosphere could have aurora-like phenomena. Scientists have observed aurora on Jupiter and Saturn using the Hubble Space Telescope and other instruments. The colors and processes might be slightly different due to different atmospheric gases, but the concept remains the same: charged particles from the solar wind interact with a planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere, producing lights.

Fun Fact: On Jupiter, the aurora are influenced not just by the solar wind but also by the planet’s own powerful magnetosphere and the volcanic activity on its moon Io, which spews out charged particles that end up in Jupiter’s magnetic field.

“Skies over Iceland” - A fine art print by Darin Deveau

The Science of Predicting Aurora

While the aurora once seemed magical and completely unpredictable, scientists now have a decent grasp on forecasting when they might occur. Space weather agencies track solar activity, particularly coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares. By understanding the speed and direction of solar winds and the structure of Earth’s magnetic field, they can issue aurora forecasts a few days or hours in advance.

• KP Index: This index measures geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 to 9. The higher the KP index, the more likely you’ll see bright aurora at lower latitudes. Websites and apps dedicated to aurora hunting use this index to guide enthusiasts.

• Real-time Trackers: Numerous websites and apps, such as NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center or the Aurora Service apps, provide real-time updates on auroral activity, cloud cover, and viewing conditions.

Fun Fact: Even with modern forecasting, catching a brilliant display often comes down to patience and luck. Solar wind conditions can change rapidly, and local weather plays a big role in visibility.

“Odds” - A fine art print by Darin Deveau

How to Photograph the Northern Lights

Capturing the aurora on camera can be challenging but extremely rewarding. The key is to let enough light hit your camera’s sensor to reveal the colors and patterns that your eyes might not fully register in real-time.

Tips:

• Use a Tripod: The aurora can be faint and often requires long-exposure shots. A sturdy tripod ensures your camera stays still, preventing blurring.

• Long Exposure Settings: Start with a manual mode setting of around 10–20 seconds exposure, a high ISO (around 1600 to 3200), and a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider if possible).

• Focus on Infinity: Manually set your lens to focus on a distant point, like the moon or a bright star, ensuring your aurora images are crisp.

• Shoot in RAW: RAW files capture more data, allowing you to adjust colors, exposure, and white balance more effectively in post-processing.

Fun Fact: Sometimes the aurora is brighter on camera than to the naked eye. The camera’s sensor can pick up subtle colors and details that human vision struggles with in low light.

Embracing the Magic and Mystery

Even with all our scientific understanding, the northern lights retain an air of magic. No two displays are ever quite the same. They can appear as faint bands of green barely visible on the horizon one moment, and then explode into technicolor curtains sweeping across the entire sky the next. Part of their allure is this unpredictable, ever-changing nature—a celestial dance that refuses to be fully tamed by our expectations.

Many who’ve experienced the aurora say it’s one of those rare moments that can’t be fully captured in words or even photographs. You have to stand there—wrapped in warm clothing, breathing in crisp air, gazing upward—to truly feel it.

The northern lights have inspired countless travelers, scientists, artists, and dreamers. From the solar winds that spark them to the cultural legends that enrich their meaning, aurora remind us that we live in a universe filled with wonder and mystery. By understanding a bit more about how and why these lights appear, we can appreciate them on an even deeper level when we finally see them dance across the night sky—an experience that, for many, is truly life-changing.