I never expected to witness the Northern Lights when I worked in Iceland over the summer. However, fate had other plans. Due to an increased interest in our tours, we stayed in Iceland for 15 days longer than originally planned. And with that extra time came the incredible luck of seeing the aurora borealis.
In Iceland, the Northern Lights season begins in late August and lasts until the end of March. Of course, the best months to see them are from November to February, but even so, I had the chance to experience breathtaking auroras—the most stunning I have ever seen in my life.
It is a fascinating phenomenon that we still cannot fully predict. Several factors must align for us to witness the Northern Lights. However, to put it simply, higher solar activity is needed to send charged particles toward Earth. Our planet defends itself using the magnetosphere, which, under certain conditions, "opens its doors" and directs these particles toward the North and South Poles. This is when people can witness the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere or the aurora australis in the Southern Hemisphere.
Aurora-hunting tourism has grown so much in recent years that people travel to fascinating countries like Iceland, Norway, Sweden, or Finland solely to see the Northern Lights—and they often feel disappointed if they don’t succeed. However, it’s important to point out that for people, the aurora is not just a spectacular sight. While it does play a role in certain natural processes, it can also cause significant damage.
The main risk lies in the potential disruption of GPS systems, electricity supplies, or satellites. If a massive solar storm like the one in 1857 were to occur again, it could lead to a global blackout.
I must admit that even though I’ve had the chance to see the Northern Lights multiple times, it still brings a smile to my face and leaves me in awe of how nature can create something so spectacular. However, I wish people would see it as just one part of their trip, rather than basing the success of their entire vacation on whether or not they get to witness it.
The Northern Lights are a phenomenon entirely controlled by nature—no human can influence them. I had to spend quite a long time in the Nordic countries to understand the mechanics behind them, and I am still learning.
If there is interest, I can put together a guide on useful apps and a more detailed explanation of how it all works. Let me know in the comments.
I wish all of you the chance to witness this breathtaking experience.
Helping with translations: Deepl
Helping with translations: ChatGPT
Helping with grammar: Grammarly