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northern-lightsThose lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the elusive Aurora Borealis will never forget the allure of its celestial glow. Often described as the ‘greatest light show on Earth’, the Northern Lights are a naturally occurring wonder produced when electrically-charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, reacting with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. What results is an emblazoned sky streaked in hues of pink, green, yellow, blue and violet.

The fleeting spectacle can be tricky to spot though, so travelBulletin has come up with a few tips to help you tick this one off the bucket list.

Timing is everything

Aurora spotting will become a little harder after this year, scientists predict, with the 11-year solar cycle now in its declining stage. This, however does not mean that the bright lights will disappear completely from the skies, only that the chances of seeing them will dip. NASA highlights the equinox months of September and March as a fantastic time for aurora hunting, with frequent outbursts of auroral sub-storms, or plumes of light, commonly sighted. Complete darkness and clear skies are needed when attempting to chase the celestial display, but make sure you rug up warm as the best time to view it is often between the hours of 10pm and 2am local time.

Location, location, location

There is no single place where the Northern Lights shine the brightest, so it’s important to choose a destination that you’re truly interested in exploring and consider the possibility of aurora-spotting as an added bonus. But in saying that, there are some welldocumented spots that are known for frequent sightings of the heavenly display. Known for its rugged terrain, Svalbard in Norway is a fantastic choice for those interested in immersing themselves in a polar region. During the polar winter, the entire area is cloaked in darkness for 24-hours across 28 days, meaning the lights can even be seen during the daytime. Many travellers also visit Reykjavik in Iceland for the light show. In fact, just earlier this year the Reyjavik Council announced its decision to switch off street lights in selected parts of the Icelandic capital just so those in the city could enjoy the swirling parade. In the US, Alaska’s Fairbanks city is another hot spot to see the Northern Lights. Whilst in some places we’d recommend you rug up warm, in Fairbanks the method of choice for aurora spotting is to strip down and soak up the glory in naturally formed hot springs.

Monitor the situation

A plethora of apps and websites that monitor aurora activity are available online for free. Download one before you depart on your trip to find the best places to witness aurora activity.

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