For a truly magical light show put on by mother nature you must experience the wonder that is the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, is a mesmerising, colourful, eerie display of light observed in the night sky in the northern polar region.

The northern lights appears when solar wind particles collide with air molecules in the earth’s atmosphere, transferring their energy into light. The intensity of the displays can vary from a glowing curtain of greenish yellow lights, dancing in the distance to a spectacular, multi-coloured fusion stretching across the sky. Whichever light display you’re lucky enough to experience it will no doubt make you want to see more.

The best time to see the Aurora is on a clear winters night usually during the darkest periods between November and February, although they can be seen as early as late August and as late as mid April. The phases of the moon however will also have an affect. A full moon can greatly detract from the spectacle, whereas around the time of the new moon, if sightings are possible then they should be at their best.

For the best view of the northern lights you’ll have to head as far north as you can. Because while the northern lights can at times be seen as far south as the UK and the US / Canadian border, you really need to travel far north and visit places such as Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Norway, Alaska and Lapland during the darkest months, to have some of the best opportunities possible.

Viewing the northern lights shimmer and dance across the night sky is a beautiful, breathtaking and amazing sight, and something that everyone should experience at least once in their life.

Tags: Aurora, Northern Lights