3 mins | 14 Oct 2024
Aurora Borealis, commonly known as “The Northern Lights,” occurs due to the interactions between the earth’s magnetic field and the solar wind from the sun, majorly constituting the charged particles. When the charged particles from the sun collide with the outer surface of the earth’s atmosphere at a speed of 45 million mph; it produces nature’s own lightning show, in the form of beautiful curtains and dancing ribbons in the night sky.
Since earth’s magnetic field redirects these particles towards the poles, we can see the appearance of lights is more visible in this region.
Aurora, also commonly known as the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) or the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis), is a natural light show visible near the earth’s atmospheric belts of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
In the northern hemisphere, the display is known as Aurora Borealis whereas in the southern hemisphere it is known as the Aurora Australis.
Have you ever wondered where this hue comes from? When the atoms in these gases are energized, they emit various colors of light.
We can see different colors of lights as; different gases emit different lights.
Our Earth’s atmosphere constitutes nitrogen (78 percent) and oxygen (21 percent), along with carbon dioxide, neon, and hydrogen in small traces.
When an atom absorbs energy, its electron moves to a higher energy level or orbital. Since this state is unstable, the electrons of an atom eventually return to their former energy level, or ground state. A photon, or particle of light, is released throughout the process when they return to their ground state. The energy of a photon determines the color of the light emitted.
Oxygen emits green lights, whereas nitrogen emits blue, pink, and purple.
Although the concentration of nitrogen is higher in the atmosphere as compared to oxygen, the majority of the lights that are visible in the night sky is green, as nitrogen is harder to energize than oxygen.
If you’re planning to cruise through Northern Lights, it would be during the winter months; i.e. from late September to late March. The long silent, and peaceful nights allow plenty of opportunity for Northern Light Hunting. For the Best Aurora Viewing, Visit areas with clear sky and low light pollution.
According to the survey conducted by the British Geological, the best opportunity to visit Northern Lights are more prominent in the regions close to the North Pole such as:
Embark on a journey along the dramatic coastline of
Norway. Hunting Northern lights in the heart of the Northern Lights Belt that is in the Northern Norway. The belt stretches from Lofoten to the Northern Cape of the Norway Coastline. (Norway Cruises)
Voyage on a cruise adventure to pristine places such as Kangerlussuaq, Disko Bay, East Greenland, and Nuuk. Witnessing the amazing exhibition of lights in these areas is something one can only imagine.
(Greenland Cruises)
The display of the northern lights is astonishingly beautiful in the horizon of Iceland. Filled with geothermal pools, diverse culture and visiting northern lights is truly one’s lifetime experience. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Kirkjufell are some of the places where you can easily see northern lights.
(Iceland Cruises)
Traveling far from all over the world during the month of the late September, one can witness the dancing swirls of lights at Fairbanks. Due to its location, longer duration of night hours in winter and intense Auroral activities people love to be a part of it.
(Alaska Cruises)
Plan a cruise and discover breathtaking ice-covered fjords, frozen glaciers while hunting for northern lights. Høydebassenget, Nybyen6713 are some of the places where you can be a part of this wonderful phenomenon.
(Svalbard Cruises)
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