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NORTHERN LIGHTS

Northern lights ‘eruption’ set to dazzle Norway

A solar flare is set to bring an intense Aurora Borealis show on the final two nights of 2015, illuminating the sky in some areas that don't usually witness the region's famous northern lights.

Published: 30 December 2015 17:08 CET
Northern lights 'eruption' set to dazzle Norway
File photo: AFP/Johnathan Nackstrand/NTB Scanpix

The eruption of a sunspot cluster earlier this week sent a huge burst of energy racing towards earth, provoking the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre in America to issue a warning of a geomagnetic storm.

Such strong solar activity should mean that even in southern Norway, Scandinavia's famous northern lights should be easily seen as long as the skies are clear.

Though weather forecasts suggest cloud cover for most of the duration of the cosmic light show, any break in clouds should may the the lights visible – they can be bright enough to be seen from an illuminated street.

Even if cloud cover does obscure the lights this week, patience will be rewarded, according to norrskensverige.com, a blog for Swedish Northern Lights enthusiasts.

Strong Aurora Borealis are expected to light up the first week of 2016, due to a coronal hole, a region where the solar wind is allowed to leave the sun faster than normal and which sparks strong displays, says the blog.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a famous feature of Scandinavian autumn and winter nights but they can prove difficult to spot unless you live in the far north of Norway.

The phenomenon has been described as nature's own disco and tourism based around the natural light show is increasing.

The Aurora Borealis are usually best seen before midnight with the most intense part typically lasting less than ten minutes.

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NORTHERN LIGHTS

Why the northern lights might be visible in more of Norway than usual

Current atmospheric conditions mean there's a good chance the aurora borealis will be visible across much more of Norway than normal on Friday.

Published: 19 March 2021 11:26 CET
Updated: 19 March 2021 16:54 CET
Why the northern lights might be visible in more of Norway than usual
Photo by stein egil liland from Pexels

Normally, the northern lights are only visible in northern Norway, typically between April and September.

According to the Geophysical Institute of Alaska the KP index, which is a system of measuring aurora strength, will reach Kp 5 out of a possible 9.

Anything Kp 5 and above is classed as a geomagnetic storm. This means you will be able to see the green lady a lot further south than you usually would.

The reason for this high forecast is “corona holes” (no relation to the pandemic). These are holes in the Sun’s atmosphere, where solar wind is thrown out at high speeds.

The northern lights occur when the protons and electrons from solar wind hit the particles in the Earths atmosphere and release energy.  

“You can see it down towards eastern Norway as an arc on the horizon, while in central Norway and in Trøndelag it will be right over your head.” Pål Brekke, head of space research at the Norwegian Space Center, told newspaper VG.

READ MORE:Taking pictures of the Northern Lights: 10 expert photography tips 

While there will be strong northern lights activity over large parts of the country, it does not necessarily mean that everyone will get to see it.

“It doesn’t look too promising in Nordland and Troms”, state meteorologist, Sjur Wergerland told VG.

However, he also added that the forecast looks much better further south.

Even then though there is no guarantee you will see the northern lights, according to Brekke.

“It is not certain that the northern lights will move as far south as we think, but I recommend people to follow forecasts on websites to stay up to date,” he said.

In order to see the northern lights, the weather will also have to be on your side. Clear skies are best and going to areas with no or low light pollution is important too.

If you are lucky enough to see the lights make sure you don’t wave at them. Doing so will cause the lights to lift you up and take you away according to Norwegian folklore.

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