What are the aurora borealis?
More specifically known as aurora borealis (in the northern hemisphere) and aurora australis (in the southern hemisphere), this phenomenon of phosphorescence that crosses the sky is explained by the entry of solar particles into the atmosphere, which release their energy on contact with the polar magnetic fields. They form when the sun's surface erupts, and when the solar wind hits the earth a few hours later. A veritable electrical discharge, the aurora borealis is generated by ionized gases at altitudes ranging from 80 to 1,000 km, which also influence the color of the phenomenon. The auroras then flutter in the wind, undulating and folding in on themselves. A veritable natural fireworks display.
The aurora borealis usually begins with a small, diffuse glow towards the pole. Then a greenish band appears above the horizon, rippling and shimmering as it moves steadily towards the zenith. Other arcs follow, distorting into moving bands that form large draperies. Red auroras are the rarest, meaning that the phenomenon takes place only a hundred or so kilometers away. Green is the most common color. In the southern hemisphere, they are more difficult to observe, as there is no land at the latitudes where auroras are most frequent. It is usually necessary to be at sea to observe them.
Where and when can we see them?
It's in the skies of the auroral zone (located between 65° and 72° latitude), i.e. in regions close to the Arctic Circle, that the northern lights are formed. This makes Lapland a very special place! These unpredictable natural phenomena can be observed on clear days, between August and March. However, they appear more frequently in the depths of winter, between 11pm and 4am. The festival of colors lasts around 20 minutes, and the natural light can be so powerful that you can even read the newspaper! To observe the Northern Lights and make the most of their dance, it's essential to stay away from light pollution. And what could be more breathtaking than to admire this spectacle in the middle of nature?
Among the best places to enjoy the phenomenon are the town of Tromsø, in Norway, and the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko, Sweden. Located in the heart of Swedish Lapland, in the Abisko National Park, the station is perched on the Nuolja mountain, at a latitude that is extremely favorable to the appearance of the aurora borealis. The small village of Abisko, which is so remote that you'd think you were alone in the world, has very little light pollution. It's surrounded by mountains that block out much of the passing clouds, and often enjoys clear weather. What's more, once at the top of Nuolja, the village is hidden by the relief. In short, all the conditions are right. The resort also boasts a café and restaurant where you can wait in the warmth and with a full belly for the coveted dawn.
Today, many service providers throughout Lapland offer a wide variety of northern lights hunting tours. We'll take you through woods and forests in search of the phenomenon, whether by dog sled, snowmobile, skis or snowshoes. While we can't guarantee that you'll see an aurora borealis, it's still a great way to spend a day.
My Aurora, the essential application
Mother Nature is unpredictable, and it's impossible to guarantee the appearance of an aurora borealis. But to catch a glimpse of the beauties at night, a quick visit to the "aurora weather forecast" site may prove worthwhile: www.aurora-service.eu/aurora-forecast. You can also download the My Aurora Forecast application onto your phone.
The Northern Lights: Myths and Legends
In Lapland, the northern lights are the stuff of myth and legend. If the scientific explanation doesn't appeal to you, you're free to adopt one of these much more imaginative tales!
Indigenous peoples living in latitudes close to the Arctic Circle - the Saami, the Inuit and the Amerindians, for example - share a respect and a fear of these luminous phenomena. The aurora borealis was thought to represent the realm of the dead, but only those who had experienced a premature or brutal death could enter it. Whistling was one way of attracting the aurora, but it's very dangerous to try. Some forbade their children to go out on activity nights, while others required them to wear a bonnet so that the aurora wouldn't burn their hair. Many elders tell of being taught as children to behave properly in front of the northern lights.
The Saami, on the other hand, believed that the phenomenon was linked to the weather, and that one could use the magic of the aurora to influence the weather! While the shape and color of the aurora had different meanings in different Saami groups, they all agreed that a dancing aurora borealis indicated that the weather was about to change.
In the South, if the sky lit up, it was because the Sami were searching for their reindeer in the mountains with their torches. In Finland, a very poetic legend tells us that the northern lights are nothing more than sparks produced by fire foxes as they run through the mountains.
The aurora borealis, rare and spectacular in Mediterranean latitudes, has always frightened the people of the South. During Alexander the Great's campaigns in Macedonia, Aristotle depicted "rips in the night sky behind which flames can be seen", and Seneca added: "It is a chasm through which the half-open sky seems to vomit flames." Fascinating since time immemorial, they were not scientifically studied until the 17th century.
How to photograph them
Nowadays, any phone with a good camera can be used to immortalize an aurora borealis. A camera, even a compact one, can also do the trick. All you need to do is make the right settings. Set the ISO to 800 minimum. The newer the camera, the higher the ISO you can afford. Then set the aperture to between 2.0 and 4.0. and the exposure time to between 5 and 60 seconds. The latter may vary according to the intensity of the aurora borealis and the surrounding luminosity. Give it a try, and adjust the exposure up or down depending on the result. To take a sharp photo, it's essential to place your camera on a tripod or stable support. Bear in mind that the northern lights are only there for a few minutes, or even seconds, so don't waste too much time adjusting your camera and enjoy the show instead!
Psst! Be aware that your camera/phone can see things you can't see with the naked eye! The Northern Lights are often present in the sky, but not strong enough for us to observe them. For the curious, use the same settings on an evening without auroras and you may discover that the sky above you is all green flames! If that's the case, maybe it's worth going home, putting on an extra sweater and sitting outside for a few moments...
