Northern Lights

One of the most remarkable phenomena of nature are the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights and Scandinavia is undoubtedly perfectly placed to view these. On a cold winter night and away from the light pollution of the cities, the Lights can without warning, fill the sky in waves of blue or green working towards the climax of their majestic dance when, clothed in the colours of the rainbow, they erupt in an awe inspiring display of natures’ splendour. This climax most often occurs during the four hour period between ten at night to two in the morning and last for around four minutes.
Seeing the Lights can never be guaranteed but chances do increase by travelling further north, avoiding light pollution from cities and having a clear star filled sky. And most of all, be ready to leap into action the moment the word comes that the Lights are out as they don’t always hang around. Bear in mind that although they appear some 200 days of the year, some of these days will be in the summer months with very long days which reduces viewing opportunities substantially. So, if your goal is to fulfil a lifetime dream of seeing the Lights, don’t be in a hurry and plan a stay for a reasonable period of time.
What creates the Northern Lights? Sami legend speaks of a fox running across the Fells creating sparks across the sky by waving its tail – thus the term Firefox known in Finnish as “Revontulet”. The scientific explanation would be that solar winds send charged particles towards the Earth which upon colliding with Earth’s atmosphere, an energy is produced and it is this energy which gives off the Light.
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Claudia Pallaspuro

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