Our Northern Lights Blog

Have you noticed how popular Finland has become recently?

Every time I open a magazine or the travel section of a national newspaper it seems that everybody is tipping Finland as THE hot destination for 2017.

If you have read our more recent blogs you’ll know that the sun is currently in the declining stage of Solar Cycle 24. As a result, it is Coronal Holes rather than Coronal Mass Ejections, that are more likely to cause Auroral displays over the course of the next few years.

Hunting the Northern Lights in Lapland will always be a truly incredible experience, but why not do it in style?

Here are three great ways to make your Northern Lights holiday even more of a once in a lifetime experience:

The Sun is currently in the declining stage of Solar Cycle 24 and this has prompted some speculation that Auroral displays will become less commonplace. Fortunately, this is not the case because the Aurora stems from two sources: Coronal Mass Ejections and Coronal Holes.

During the declining stage of the Solar Cycle it is the less violent but more stable Coronal Holes that are the more likely to cause the Northern Lights to dance in our night skies and the beauty of these holes on the SUN’s surface is that they can come round time and again.

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s contest is to decide the celestial heavyweight championship of the year.

In the blue corner; The Northern Lights!!

In the red corner; The biggest moon for 70 years!!!!

Sweden’s famous Treehotel has commissioned a new room to add to its vast contemporary and individual boutique accommodation - this time, to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights!

Warning! Contains scenes of nudity

1.Warmer Temperatures

Temperatures in March tend to be milder than in the very heart of winter. Okay, it’s still not exactly tropical and only the hardiest of souls would brave the elements like our hero below. However, Aurora hunting requires patience and the chances are that you will be warmer waiting in March than in say December or January.

There are various theories flying around online suggesting that the Aurora Borealis is going to disappear as the current cycle (Solar Cycle 24) enters its declining stage to 'Solar Minimum'. 

Such theories are frustrating because, as our Managing Director Ali McLean will tell you, the inspiration for The Aurora Zone was born on two consecutive nights in 2008 when we were at the lowest point of Solar Cycle 23.

It has been said that as we reach the 'Solar Minimum' stage of Solar Cycle 24, the Northern Lights will disappear from view.

For us to reassure you as to why this won’t happen we have to take a look at the science behind the magnificent Aurora Borealis.

Have you been watching Professor Brian Cox’s brilliant ‘Forces of Nature’ series featured on BBC One? This week’s stunning final episode focused on the science behind the colours of our planet.

Brian travelled around the globe experiencing phenomena such as the gentle beauty of a moon bow in Iceland, to the transformation of the sun-drenched Serengeti.

Finally, he landed in Northern Norway to uncover our favourite of all nature’s marvels – the spectacular Northern Lights.