Has anyone ever been to see the Northern Lights?

CrunchyAdams82 · Post by **CrunchyAdams82** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:31 pm

Bit of a random one, but has anyone ever been to see either the Northern Lights or the Stars in their full glory?

I've decided this is something I want to do within the next 18 months, as I have a real interest in this & have never experienced either.

Anybody got any recommendations on where to go, or (seriously) even be up for such a getaway? (It is going to happen).

Obviously you've got Iceland, Norway, Sweden, etc for the N/Lights, or Chile/Hawaii for the Stars. For example..

YouTube · Post by **Sailor** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:38 pm

The weirdest is thing is when you're on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic at night for the first time. You think you can see another vessel on the horizon. It takes you a while to realise that the stars can go all the way down.
(On land, light and dust pollution stop that happening even in seemingly open areas.)

CrunchyAdams82 · Post by **CrunchyAdams82** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:41 pm

Absolutely! That's why I want to go somewhere where it can all be truly appreciated.

CrunchyAdams82 · Post by **CrunchyAdams82** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:46 pm

A few examples..

Post by **Donald** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:48 pm

Think you can see from Canada too.

You not thought about the Southern Lights?

Top tip: I would wait a few years as solar (magnetic) activity has been on a downward slope for some time. It will increase eventually but I'm no astrophysicist. Just keep an eye out on phys.org for sunspot activity and book a trip the next year.

GJMHONDA2012 · Post by **GJMHONDA2012** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:52 pm

The northern lights are amazing mate we see them quite alot where i live and they appear over the sea alot up in scotland i get goosebumps when i see them for some reason it really is an amazing site

CrunchyAdams82 · Post by **CrunchyAdams82** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:55 pm

Good shout Donald. It will defo be worth doing some research first to get the best experience.

Ideally I'd like to do it within the next 18 months, but if hanging on a bit meant a much better viewing, I would be prepared to wait a little longer.

I'm 31 now, that's all. And I want to start fulfilling my dreams. And this is one of them.

CrunchyAdams82 · Post by **CrunchyAdams82** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:58 pm

GJMHONDA2012 wrote:The northern lights are amazing mate we see them quite alot where i live and they appear over the sea alot up in scotland i get goosebumps when i see them for some reason it really is an amazing site

There's no 'for some reason' about it mate. It's just amazing! And it needs to be seen 'for real' imo.

That's why I have to see it for myself.

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:25 am

I spent some time in Stavanger and further north in Norway it was amazing to see and the further north you go the clearer the atmosphere and less light pollution you get but Hawaii would be good too would keep the missus happy

CrunchyAdams82 · Post by **CrunchyAdams82** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:01 am

Yeah, gotta decide between Stars or N/L. Hawaii would definitely be nice!

What time of year is best to see the Aurora in Norway though?