On our planet, natural phenomena are not uncommon, which fascinate, make you admire them for hours, travel great distances to see them with your own eyes. This fully applies to such a natural phenomenon as the northern lights. Thousands of tourists from different parts of our planet come to Norway every year to enjoy this amazing spectacle. All travelers claim that this trip is remembered for a long time. When does the northern lights appear in Norway? Where is the best place to observe this phenomenon? We will answer these questions in this article.
Amazing natural phenomenon
Scientists have long explained how and why, from the point of view of science, this glow occurs. It is formed at an altitude of 80 to 100 km during the interaction of molecules in the atmosphere with charged particles of energy that penetrate from space. In other words, streams of sunlight, reaching the layers of the atmosphere, provoke a bright glow.atoms of oxygen and nitrogen. You can observe this natural phenomenon at the magnetic poles, more precisely, in the zone limited by 67 ° and 70 ° N. sh.
In the Southern Hemisphere near the magnetic pole, it is very difficult to see the aurora borealis, since there are no places suitable for human life in these latitudes. In the northern part of our planet, you can find about ten places where ideal conditions are created for observing an amazing natural phenomenon.
When can you see the northern lights in Norway?
The best time to visit Norway for those wishing to see a fantastic natural phenomenon is from December to February. It is best to watch it in autumn and winter. From September 21 to March 21 inclusive, the aurora appears almost daily after 18:00.
It is quite possible to admire the northern lights in Norway in August - from the end of the month to the end of September and from the end of March to the second half of April. These are the so-called transitional periods. True, the nights during these periods are short, which means that there is very little time to see this amazing natural phenomenon.
Starting in August you will be able to see a fantastic sunset or a real show of dancing lights turning into the northern lights.
Route selection
The best thing to do is to take a cruise on a liner that follows the coast of Norway. It is advisable to choose a route from Tromso to Trondheim. Many "hunters"northern lights visit the polar center, which is located in Norway in the small village of Laukvik. Here you can enjoy the heavenly glow, visit exhibitions and presentations dedicated to the natural phenomenon.
From Moscow you can go by boat to the Svalbard archipelago, which is located very close to the North Pole - one and a half hours away. Such expeditions are also organized by Norwegian travel agencies. Flights depart from Oslo to the capital of the archipelago, Longyearbyen. If you want to see the northern lights in Norway with your own eyes (we posted a photo of the natural phenomenon in this article), without leaving the mainland of the country, stop in the cities of Alta or Tromso.
Advice from experienced tourists
The northern lights belt covers the territory from the North Cape to the Lofoten Islands. It is not uncommon to see the same aurora from Tromso and the Lofoten Islands, but from different angles. The farther you are from the coast, the drier the air and the clearer the sky, which greatly increases your chances of enjoying the Northern Lights in Norway.
You should go “hunting” after 22:00 to midnight, and try to get away from cities. You should not go on a trip on a full moon, so that the light of the night star does not compete with the aurora borealis and does not interfere with enjoying an amazing spectacle.
Features of the Northern Lights in Norway
If you come to this northern country in December or January, you can enjoy the real northern lights (Auroraborealis), when the nights last forever and the days are very short. In March and February, the length of daylight hours increases, so you will have the opportunity to admire the endless panoramas of snow during the day, and the northern lights in the evening.
Unfortunately, no one can guarantee you 100% that you will be able to appreciate the northern lights in Norway during your trip. Sometimes it illuminates the sky every day for several weeks, and sometimes nothing is visible due to heavy snowfalls.
Each northern lights are beautiful in their own way. Sometimes the glow resembles green stripes that encircle the night sky, or green fog. Sometimes the night glow in the sky is a magnificent shimmering canopy that shimmers with blue-green lights with small splashes of red and pink. Up to 160 km wide, these colored ribbons can reach 1,600 kilometers in length!
Dancing like flames in the dark sky, the northern lights fascinate and enchant. With a strong flash, it appears for only one or two minutes, and then “melts”, and you are left wondering whether you saw this miracle, or it just seemed to you.
Legends
Probably no one will be surprised that there are many legends about this amazing natural phenomenon. According to the Sami version, the polar fox, running through the hills of Lapland, threw up magical snow sparks with its fluffy tail and lit up the fantastic multicolored northern lights in the sky.
On the Saami shaman tambourine there arespecial symbols that represent the northern lights. In the language of the indigenous people of Norway - the Sami - this phenomenon is called "guovsahas", which translates as "the light that is heard." The indigenous people are sure that the aurora borealis is connected in some special way with sound. And in Viking times, this phenomenon was considered a reflection from the swords of the Valkyries.
Tours
There are many companies in northern Norway that organize snowmobile trips for tourists. Having raced on a snowmobile, you will feel a sense of freedom. And if at this time the sky above you flashes with a flickering light, then you will not be able to forget this trip for a long time.
In Laukvik, in the Lofoten Islands, or more precisely, on the island of Austvogeia, the Northern Lights Center awaits guests, where you will be offered interesting presentations and exhibitions. In the province of Finnmark, in the Pasvik Valley, which is near the border with Russia, travelers will be offered to go on a journey under the northern lights on a dog sled.
If you come to the Sami capital of the country - the city of Karasjok - you can take part in an excursion under the colorful sky on a special bus, which is called the Northern Lights. For those who have ever seen these extraordinary flashes in the night sky, it seems that magical lights are lit only for them - on a certain day and hour, which is appointed by nature itself.
