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Alaska northern lights 20211/6/2024 With less landmass in the south, the southern lights are perhaps less talked about as they mostly occur over water, but they can be seen over parts of New Zealand, and Australia and Tasmania.ĭr. The aurora australis-or southern lights-are the same phenomenon on the other side of the Earth. While travel to and from Australia and New Zealand is not yet an option for most potential visitors, residents there can plan to catch sight of a different aurora. The aurora australis or southern lights are mostly seen across Australia and New Zealand © Arrested Light Photography / Alamy Stock Photo How to see the southern lights However, these auroras are sudden and short-lived. In the solar maximum, the sun is more “active”, leading to northern lights that are caused by solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Luckily, there is a benefit of being closer to the solar minimum-it means that the lights can actually be more predictable. Read more: Catch the northern lights from your ice hotel: Norway's Far North is the ideal winter playground Can I still see the northern lights during the solar minimum? We’re currently closer to the minimum and will ramp up to the next expected maximum in July 2025. The solar minimum occurred in December 2019, which kicked off the start of a new solar cycle, known to experts at NOAA and NASA as Solar Cycle 25. This creates a lot of northern lights activity, followed by a couple of years of transition, then three to four years of solar minimum. While they are famously a night-time phenomenon, the northern lights are actually influenced by the activity of the sun.Īccording to Rodney, the sun goes through a roughly 11-year cycle, which includes three to four years of solar maximum. Is 2022 a good year to see the northern lights? The best time to see the lights differs slightly by country, but, in general, the peak season is between November and March. But overall, Rodney has some pretty simple advice for aurora hunters: “be patient and go north”.Ĭlear skies are a must for viewing the lights and, of course, staying in a destination for as long as possible will help increase your chances of spying them. The NOAA website has additional tips on where to view the aurora with links to maps that show where the light show can be seen. According to him, spots like Fairbanks in Alaska, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Churchill in Canada, and Iceland and northern Norway are all safe bets. Rodney Viereck works at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – a US government body that specializes in monitoring weather and atmospheric conditions. Once you’ve decided you’re ready to tick seeing the northern lights off your bucket list, the next decision is where to go. You are transferred to the airport today for your flight home.The aurora borealis streak across the sky above the Lofoten Islands in Norway © Nutexzles / Getty Images Where is the best place to see the northern lights? You are transferred back to your hotel in Fairbanks for the night. The morning is free for last minute explorations. Tonight, you are booked on a Aurora Viewing Tour which will take you to an unique viewing yurt area for the Northern Lights. Today is spent exploring the resort and taking part in any optional activities. Be sure to go in and have a drink “on ice”. Included is your admission to the Ice Museum located here. The natural hot springs make a wonderful setting for your viewing. This is one of the premier places from where to watch the Northern Lights. Transfer from Fairbanks this afternoon to Chena Hot Springs. You may get lucky and see this magnificent light display tonight. Arrive in Fairbanks on your own and transfer to your hotel for the night.
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