Has anyone ever been to see the Northern Lights?

[CrunchyAdams82]

And funnily enough Donald, I've always wanted to go to Canada. So maybe that would be the choice location. Didn't realise you could see it from there.

And haven't considered the Southern Lights because they're more difficult to see apparently & not usually as impressive. Plus, such destinations would be a bit limited in what else you could do while you were there I expect.

[CrunchyAdams82]

Yeah, Canada would be awesome.

[mercutio]

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?

between mid September until late march I would say for Norway and you stand a better chance the further north you go tromso is meant to be good

[rob quilter]

Seen them before, wasn't bad....

[Dobbs]

Seeing the lights in their full glory is one of those truly great life experiences!

I saw them in Northern Michigan (US of A) in 1995 - the display lasted from around 10pm until dawn and a group of us spent the whole night camped by a lake shore watching the display. Recommend an MP3 player, headphones and your fav chill-out tracks (Pink Floyd was my choice that night).

A mate later described the display as like watching a firework display in slow motion from the bottom of a swimming pool...

Do it, just do it!!!

Dobbs.

[Donald]

I think in total area where you can view the Northern lights, Canada makes up something like 90% of the landmass.

Also be cautious of places that say "we're approaching the solar activity peak" this will be for the year, not the cycle, so may not mean anything compared to previous years/cycles. I think TBH where ever you go to see it specifically, you will see it, just if I was going to go to the effort I would wait, do the research and see at the best possible time.

Going back to the Southern lights... Oz, NZ, South America? Plenty to do there.

Slightly off topic, did anyone see the display last night? Dust entering the atmosphere..... from a comet that passed us 21 years ago

[judderod]

Some friends of ours went to Iceland and did a northern lights trip but they ended up disappointed. I still want to go, like mentioned tho it's best to try and plan it out. I think there's a website somewhere (NASA?) that reports solar flares or something like that, and it takes about 8 days for the dust to get here. So if I get a chance to do a last minute thing I'll be waiting for that!

[CrunchyAdams82]

Yeah, it will definitely require planning to get the best out of it. Definitely something I'll be doing end of next year though. And I think it will have to be Canada.

Great thoughts Dobbs. Sounds like you had a fantastic experience!

This is why I want to do it. I know it will stay with me forever.

[Donald]

Like herpes.

[CrunchyAdams82]

Yes Donald, like Herpes!