Where and when can you see the northern lights in Russia, in cities in Europe and in North America? We will consider all the best places where you can go for impressions and active recreation, share information about the resources with which you can monitor the magnetic environment, select interesting excursions with which you can go with a group of tourists and see everything with your own eyes.
When can you see the northern lights?
The Northern Lights are directly related to solar activity. The higher it is, the higher the likelihood of this phenomenon occurring in one place or another. In theory, aurora can be observed at any time of the year. Practically, it is brighter and more colorful against the background of the clear night sky. The so-called auroral oval is located above the Arctic Circle and in Antarctica.
Where to go to the Russian Federation in winter to see the northern lights? It turns out the best time and place of observation - the polar night (from November 18 to January 25) above 70 parallel north latitude. In Russia it is Murmansk, Vorkuta, Taimyr... Nevertheless, the strongest auroras are observed in late autumn and spring.
We advise you to go for impressions:
- between November and February,
- the best time is from 10 pm to 2 am.
Also, the aurora is influenced by the Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind, so the auroral oval is mobile and changes shape. As a result, it can be seen better from some points, worse from others. On professional forums, observers in real time post the coordinates of the places where the aurora is seen at one time or another.
For those who are nearby - this is a chance to drive up and see everything on their own. Another option is to observe solar activity. After large flares on the Sun, the solar wind reaches the Earth in 2 - 4 days. During this period, it is worth going on a photo hunt for an atmospheric phenomenon. But no one gives guarantees that you will see the aurora borealis, only a forecast.
Map of the best places to watch the Northern Lights
How to follow and with what help?
Gone are the days when people sat by the window and watched for a glow. Scientific institutes in Russia and abroad are engaged in ionospheric phenomena. In the public domain, on the websites of these institutes, one can find short-term (30 minutes) and long-term (up to 27 days) forecasts of solar activity.
There you can also see cloud maps in the polar regions. Unfortunately, the cloudiness does not allow observing auroras. So, what to use and where to look for information about upcoming events:
- IZMIRAN (Russia):
- https://spaceweather.izmiran.ru/index.html Link to the page where you can see the current state of space weather, including the index Cr geomagnetic activity. When Cr > 5 the probability of seeing the aurora is much higher.
- https://geodata.izmiran.ru/allstation.html Link to the page with current indices Cr across the Arkhangelsk region and Taimyr.
- Space Weather Forecast Center (USA). https://www.swpc.noaa.gov. All basic radiance information and forecasts.
- UAF - Geophysical Institute (Alaska). https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast - long-term forecast of the auroral oval from 1 hour to 27 days. There you can also watch the current space weather and a video camera in Alaska.
Fans of North America will be interested to see all the best sights of Alaska with photos and descriptions, we also posted a video review of interesting places.
Weather Forecast Sites:
- https://spaceweather.com - on this site you can see the movement of the auroral oval per day and a short-term forecast for several days.
- https://www.aurora-service.net - site with current and short-term aurora forecasts. The power of the aurora is shown on the map. The site is accessible from a mobile phone.
- https://www.meteox.com/forecastloop.aspx?type=4&continent=europa - it is convenient to observe the current and forecasted cloudiness on the site. You can use gismeteo.ru for this.
- https://aurora-alerts.com/ru - free mobile application for smartphones; shows the current state of the geomagnetic situation, forecast up to 3 days and indicates where the aurora can be seen.
- My Aurora Forecast - we advise you to install the smartphone app first. Shows snapshots of the current aurora around the world, suggests the best viewing locations and provides short-term forecasts of such locations.
Where to see the northern lights in Russia?
For residents of Russia, it is most convenient to see the polar lights on their own territory. You do not need to apply for a visa and buy expensive tickets, all planning points for an independent travel can be considered in half an hour of free time and the trip is ready.
By the way, sometimes the aurora is observed at the latitude of St. Petersburg and even in Moscow. A rich and bright glow is still beyond the Arctic Circle. Easiest to get to Arkhangelsk or Murmansk.
Teriberka village (Murmansk region)
Where to see the northern lights in Murmansk? Tourists recommend going to the village of Teriberka. A flight to Murmansk and back will cost from 8,000 and more, by train is half the price, but trains go to Murmansk in 35 hours. Then 3 hours by taxi to the coast of the Barents Sea, the cost is 3000 rubles or by bus # 241 for 343 rubles.
Why is it worth going to Teriberka? This is a remote village, so city light won't hurt. Secondly, the village is located on the coast in a beautiful bay with waterfalls, this is an additional bonus for photographers and those who like to relax in Russia in winter, far from civilization. You can stay in one of the local hotels or hostels. Under a certain set of circumstances, the radiance is visible in the city, but it will be more colorful outside the city.
Khibiny Mountains (Kola Peninsula)
If you are going so far, then it is worth combining the observation of the aurora with a stay at a ski resort, especially when traveling in December. In addition to skiing and observation, you are guaranteed comfortable accommodation and an entertainment program. You can get to Kirovsk through Murmansk, then by bus or train to Kirovsk. The cost of the ticket Murmansk-Kirovsk is about 360 rubles. The second option - a flight to Apatity then by bus costs 16,000 rubles in both directions, the planes fly irregularly.
- On the Kirovsk website https://www.kirovsk-hibinogorsk.ru/prognoz_polyarnyx_siyanij_v_kirovske.html you can see the aurora forecast and rent housing.
Arkhangelsk
From Moscow, it is closest for aurora hunters to get to Arkhangelsk. The flight lasts about 4 hours and costs from 10,700 rubles round trip. The train runs 21 hours and is 3 times cheaper. The city has a rich history and interesting architecture. In the city, there is also a glow, only rarely, the light interferes. Therefore, photographers tend to the Yagry island in Severodvinsk, at least to the Mudyug island.
Vorkuta and Syktyvkar (Komi Republic)
A trip to Vorkuta is a very costly event, both in terms of money and time. The flight to Vorkuta lasts more than 6 hours and costs from 30,000 rubles round trip, the train is 10 times cheaper, but it takes more than 40 hours one way. Add possible blizzards and modest infrastructure. But it is in Vorkuta that the radiance can sparkle with all the colors of the rainbow and be very intense. Syktyvkar is more comfortable than Vorkuta and twice as close, but the radiance is not so clear and somewhat paler. A flight to Syktyvkar will cost 8,000 rubles, round trip. The train takes 25 hours, it costs from 3600 rubles.
Khatanga (Taimyr)
For those wishing to go to Khatanga, one should take into account that this territory is considered a border area and has a special status. To visit Khatanga, you will have to contact the main headquarters of the Federal Border Service of the Russian Federation in Moscow and fulfill a number of their requirements. Foreigners are not allowed to enter the area. You can get to Khatanga through the Dudinka airport. Where to see the Khatanga aurora? Rather, when? In the presence of magnetic disturbances in the ionosphere, it is rather a matter of a clear sky and the absence of fog. There are a couple of hotels in Khatanga, but prices for accommodation and food are high.For example, a liter of milk costs about 180 rubles, a kilogram of apples - about 300 rubles. Additional leisure activities in winter: ice fishing and wild deer hunting.
Where to see the northern lights abroad?
Of course, you can go to Antarctica for aurora, especially since tours there are already available, but it is easier to see the aurora in the Northern Hemisphere.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard (Norway)
The northernmost point where you can go for the Aurora. The aurora can often be observed even from an aircraft. Formally, the territory is not Schengen, but flights with transfers and visas are required. On the island, all excursions are approved by the governor, a deposit is also required. Alone and without a weapon, movement is not recommended, the reason is polar bears. A flight from Oslo with one change will cost from 15,000 in both directions.
Tromsø and Alta (Norway)
Places where you can see the northern lights in January for sure. You can get from St. Petersburg to Tremse and Alta on your own by car in 20 hours, and by plane with transfers in 8-9 hours, spending from 25,000 rubles (round trip). On excursions out of town go on dog sleds and buses with a glass top. You can independently climb the funicular to the mountains and watch the glow there. Why Tremse and Alta - because the weather conditions change at a short distance and if it is cloudy in one place, then you can quickly move to another weather zone. In the vicinity of Alta there is the largest canyon in Northern Europe, incredibly beautiful fjords. You can even stay at the ice-cold Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel.
Ivalo, Finland
We will definitely take a course to the village of Ivalo. Where can you stay? We choose any hotel according to your pocket and book a room, preferably in advance, there are so many people who come here in groups of several dozen people. We recommend an interesting version of the hotel with a glass roof - Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
Akureyri or Stoxeiri (Iceland)
Both towns are perfect for a couple of days and nights. Why? It has the least amount of precipitation in a year. Nevertheless, we advise you to stay here for at least a week and rent a car to see as many natural attractions as possible - geysers, waterfalls and other places where you can spend time. Be sure to visit the Jökulsarlon lagoon, among the "hunters" for Aurora Borealis there is an opinion that it is here that the most beautiful Northern Lights in Europe.
What to bring and tips
- Don't forget to pay attention to weather conditions - cloudy and nebula.
- When driving a rented car, be sure to fill up a full tank and take warm clothes, water, a thermos with tea, a kerosene lamp, and you can additionally take matches and firewood.
- We will definitely inform all friends and relatives about your location, we take an additional battery for the phone, it will be ideal to have a GPS tracker with you.
How to photograph the northern lights?
- To do this, you need a SLR camera with a shutter speed of at least 30 seconds and the photo mode set to infinity (on professional equipment, the mode is set with a switch on the lens)
- A good tripod, which should already be set up in the snow at least 5 minutes before the photo session,
- Additional battery,
- A good lens with a minimum aperture of f / 1.4 - 2mm.
- Backlight for landscape photography.
We recommend that you look at our section on where to relax in Russia and how to arrange a cheap vacation in the Native Spaces.
