The Northern Lights, also Aurora Borealis, are beautiful lights that appear in the night sky, mostly in cold places near the North Pole. They look like dancing waves of green, pink and purple colors. Many people travel to see this amazing natural show. The best time to watch them is during winter when the skies are dark and clear. In this article, we will know about the top-5 places to see the Northern Lights.
What are Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are colorful lights that appear in the night sky near the North Pole. They happen when charged particles from the sun travel toward Earth and hit the magnetic field. Some of these particles move to the pole and collide with gases in the sky, like oxygen and nitrogen. This makes the sky glow in colors like green, pink and red. It is a natural and beautiful light show caused by the sun and Earth’s atmosphere.
Top-5 Places to See Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are a magical light show in the night sky, seen mostly near the North Pole. To enjoy this amazing sight, here are the top-5 places in the world where you can see them clearly:
- Tromsø Norway
- Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
- Abisko, Sweden
- Reykjavik & Thingvellir, Iceland
- Yellowknife, Canada
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is in northern Norway and lies in the middle of the auroral zone. It is known as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. The city is surrounded by snowy mountains and fjords, offering a great view of the night sky. You can see the aurora from the city or travel nearby areas for a darker sky.
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
Fairbanks is located under the auroral oval, making it a popular place to see the Northern Lights in the United States. It has long, dark nights and clear skies during winter, which help you see the lights more often. Many visitors go there between August and April for the best viewing chances.
Abisko, Sweden
Abisko is a small village in northern Sweden inside Abisko National Park. This place is known for its special weather that keeps the sky clear even when it’s cloudy nearby. Abisko is far from city lights, which makes the aurora easier to see in the dark sky. The area is quiet and surrounded by nature.
Reykjavik & Thingvellir, Iceland
Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is one of the few cities in the world where you can sometimes see the Northern Lights. Just 45 minutes away is Thingvellir National Park, a great place for viewing. Iceland’s wild nature, with its waterfalls, volcanoes and glaciers, makes the experience even more exciting.
Yellowknife, Canada
Yellowknife is in the Northwest Territories of Canada and is one of the most reliable places to see the aurora. The sky is usually clear, and the area has little light pollution. Many tourists visit between November and March to enjoy the bright and colorful Northern Lights.