The northern lights also famously known as the auroras form when charged particles emitted from the sun during a solar flare penetrate the earth's magnetic shield and collide with atoms and molecules in our atmosphere. These collisions result in countless little bursts of light, called photons, which make up the aurora. Collisions with oxygen produce red and green auroras, while nitrogen produces the pink and purple colors. In the northern hemisphere, they are known as the aurora borealis, which hang above the planet in an oval-shaped halo. The lights also have their southern counterpart above Antarctica, the aurora Australis.
According to BBC, Iceland is one of the best spots in the world for catching a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights, it is an arctic island with a small population, with many wild, little or none polluted the air and a lot of places to see the Northern lights.
Firstly, when is the right time to catch a spectacular view of the northern lights? From September to April. Any of those months is as likely as the other to see some northern lights activity, it just hinges with the weather.
Reported by GuidetoIceland, the second most important factor is the length of time you choose to stay in Iceland. To get the best odds of seeing the lights, it is recommended that you stay for a minimum of seven nights in the country. The northern lights usually tend to be very active for two to three nights, then low for four to five nights, in ongoing cycles.
However, one big question many people have is whether to go on guided tours or to self-drive around to find the lights. Both of these options have their pros and cons and some people end up doing a combination of both. Guided tours have the advantage of being led by expert guides and drivers who closely follow the forecasts and have a keen knowledge of the road conditions and terrain. In addition to those there is also Hotel Siglo; this a new hotel sitting in a picturesque small fishing town on the north coast and offers a stylish place to rest and relax whilst searching for the northern lights.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
