The Northern Lights are magnetic marvels that have fascinated people for centuries. These beautiful lights can be seen in the night sky in certain regions of the world, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. But what causes the Northern Lights? This blog post will look at the science behind this spectacular display of light and color.
The Science Behind The Spectacle: Explaining The Aurora Borealis
The Northern Lights or aurora borealis are created through the collision of solar particles emitted from the sun with the Earth's atmosphere. The sun constantly emits a stream of charged particles, known as the solar wind that flows out into space. When these particles reach the Earth, they interact with the Earth's magnetic field, which acts as a barrier to protect the Earth from the solar wind. However, the Earth's magnetic field is not a perfect shield, and some of the charged particles from the solar wind are able to enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Once these charged particles enter the Earth's atmosphere, they collide with atoms and molecules of gas in the upper atmosphere. These collisions cause the gas atoms to emit light, which results in the beautiful colors that we see as the Northern Lights. The color of the Northern Lights is determined by the type of gas atom that is emitting the light. For example, green and yellow lights are caused by oxygen atoms, while red lights are caused by nitrogen atoms.
This marvellous sky slow can be seen in several regions of the world, but they are most commonly seen in the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs as the Earth's magnetic field, being stronger in the proximity of the poles, attracts and channels these charged particles into the atmosphere, making the aurora more visible in these regions. The aurora borealis can be seen in countries like Canada, Norway, and Iceland, as well as in Alaska and Northern Russia. However, the Southern Hemisphere also has its own version of the Northern Lights, known as the aurora australis or the Southern Lights.
A Guide To Witness The Aurora Odyssey
The Northern Lights are a sight to behold, and a guided tour package is the perfect way to see them in all their glory. If you're planning on witnessing this spectacular light show, it's important to know a few things to make the most of your trip.
Location - The Northern Lights are most commonly seen in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in countries like Canada, Norway, Iceland, Alaska, and Northern Russia. Research the best location to see the Northern Lights based on the time of year you plan to go and the level of activity of the aurora.
Timing is Everything - The Northern Lights are visible at night and are best seen during the months of September to April when the nights are the longest. To catch the best glimpse of the Northern Lights, it's ideal for viewing them during the dark hours, typically between 6 pm and 2 am.
Dress Warmly - The Northern Lights are most commonly seen in the colder regions of the world, so make sure you dress warmly. Wear layers of warm clothing, including a good coat, hat, gloves, and warm boots.
Be Prepared For The Weather - The weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for any type of weather. Bring rain gear and warm clothing, even if the forecast looks good.
Book a Guided Northern Lights Tour Package - From comfortable accommodation and transportation to professional guides and photography equipment, a northern lights tour package includes everything you need to have an experience of a lifetime.
With our tour package, you'll be able to break free from your daily tiring and bleak routine and fully immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of the Northern Lights. So why wait? Book your all-inclusive northern lights guided tour and see nature's fireworks in style! Call Yellowknife Tours at 867-873-4600 now.
