The Northern Lights ("Aurora Borealis") stem from when large numbers of electrons stream in towards the Earth along its magnetic field and collide with air particles. The air then lights up rather like what happens in a fluorescent light tube. The resulting colors of the Northern Lights reflect gases we find up there. The charged particles originate from the sun, and the weather conditions on the sun decide whether or not we will see the aurora.
We associate the Aurora Borealis with dark winter nights, although this natural phenomenon happens all the time (it's just harder to see in lighter conditions). The aurora can be viewed best during early evening and at night when it's not overcast. Beautiful photos of the Aurora Borealis are available in the Aurora Borealis Photo Gallery.
In Norway, the best time of year is September until the middle of April. During other times of the year, make sure to see the Top 3 Scandinavian Natural Phenomena!
This depends on your location. In Norway's city of Tromso (Tromsø) and at the North Cape (Nordkapp), you can see the Northern Lights every other clear night, if not even more frequently. The same goes for locations further north. Towards the south (e.g. central/south Sweden), it is harder to see the Aurora Borealis, and it may only occur 2-3 times a month or less.
Aurora Borealis forms at around 60 miles high (around 100 km) which makes the lights visible hundreds of kilometers away. The cause for this phenomenon is electrons hitting air particles, causing them to light up.
To see this phenomena, visit the auroral zone (or any location beyond the Arctic Circle) where the Northern Lights occur. Tourists' favorite viewing locations are the coasts of the Norwegian counties of Tromso and Finnmark (the North Cape (Nordkapp). The Northern Lights can be viewed from other locations as well, but northern Norway and Iceland are famous for prime viewing opportunities.
When you see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) for the first time, you will be amazed at the lit-up skies. Scientifically this phenomena is referred to as "polar aurora" and "aurora polaris". More commonly in northern regions is the name Aurora Borealis. the Scandinavian region, the Aurora Borealis often appears as a red-tinted glow on the northern horizon similar to a dark sunrise.
The Aurora Borealis - or Northern Lights - are part of the Top 3 Scandinavian Natural Phenomena.
