Travel Tips

I took those photos outside of the town of Lycksele in December 1999.

It was one of those cold winter nights in the north of Sweden with a stunning aurora sky.

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Polar light

The scientific name of Northen light is Aurora Borealis. This colourful light phenomenon is only visitble over the polar areas and togheter with the sothern lights over the south pole, this light is also called polar light.

More information about the Northen light can be found here:
www.irf.se/norrsken

You can also find an aurora forecast at:
Lund space weather center

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Aurora Borealis

The aurora light can be very fast changing. In some seconds it can change from a very strong light to complete darkness. The light can look like clouds blowing over the sky, but the clouds can as in the next moment change to beams of light 'raining' from the sky.

During very intense aurora nights you can even hear a whizing noise or a sparkle. Many scientists is though saying that this isn't possible, but me and many others who have experienced it can affirm that it's a very special experience.

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Aurora Borealis

Not just that you have to go to quite far areas watch the aurora, it's only visible in the coldes winter months. Best chance to get a view of it is in December, January and February. In Sweden the aurora can be visible as far down as to Stockholm, but this is very rare, so if you shall have a good chance to see it I would recommend going to Lappland in the north.

Unfortunately it's also difficult to see the polar light in towns or even smaller villages due to the light interferece from street lights, cars, buildings and neon signs. To get a good view you have to go at least some kilometers to the north from the city lights.

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A green aurora

The most active auroras are often seen before midnight. The most intense part is not often longer than 30 minutes. I have though seen auroras that have been active for some hours, but this is more uncommon.

The colour is most often green, but other colours like red and blue can also be seen.