Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
Some northern lights are red so maybe the clouds were diluting the red colours?
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[Travel] Travel Tips: Aurora Borealis
- Thread starter pasty
- Start date
Some northern lights are red so maybe the clouds were diluting the red colours?
Hi, great post. Your attachment won’t open.
Did you require quality photographic equipment to see the Northern Lights in its full glory? I’ve heard the same as [MENTION=14113]tom[/MENTION] Hark that, to the naked eye, it can be a disappointment. (I hope that’s wrong!).
SUIYHP
The King's Gull
This is another pic of it. Hope this one works this time!
Answering your question: 1) you absolutely need good quality photo equipment to take a good picture of the northern lights, the photos I uploaded were taken with some strange app that increased phone camera exposure. Im only starting to get into photography myself but youd need a decent DSLR with a tripod at minimum.
2) I can guarantee you they were not a disappointment. The photo really doesnt do it justice. It was an incredibly vivid green wave of energy that snaked across the sky, very visible to the naked eye. Id only say don’t expect loads of different colours as I think that’s very rare, but when you see a proper aurora borealis, it’s brilliant.
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Don Parasol
Active member
- Jan 29, 2017
- 108
I would avoid Iceland if aurora is the main criteria. Stunning country which I highly recommend, but the weather is unpredictable and often cloudy, so even when there is decent aurora activity you often can't see it.
I would head to Norway out of preference. The Lofoten islands is the main area I went - the landscapes are on a par with anywhere in the world, and they have better conditions for seeing northern lights. Other areas may be less remote, but with equally good possibilities to see the lights. Both countries are ridiculously expensive but if you can go for a few days highly worth it. Don't let winter put you off - you can still see lots despite the short days, and the evenings have northern lights possibilities. Great trip.
I would head to Norway out of preference. The Lofoten islands is the main area I went - the landscapes are on a par with anywhere in the world, and they have better conditions for seeing northern lights. Other areas may be less remote, but with equally good possibilities to see the lights. Both countries are ridiculously expensive but if you can go for a few days highly worth it. Don't let winter put you off - you can still see lots despite the short days, and the evenings have northern lights possibilities. Great trip.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
No-one recommending canada?
A certain website's ratings on best places to see the Aurora Borealis.
1. Tromso, Norway
2. Reykjavik (harbor), Iceland
3. Lapland, Finland
4. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
5. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
6. Abisko National Park, Sweden
7. Murmansk, Russia
8. Nuuk, Greenland
9. Also one for the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) is South Georgia Island, Antarctica
I was a bit disappointed to see Canada come up as 4th in the ratings.
1. Tromso, Norway
2. Reykjavik (harbor), Iceland
3. Lapland, Finland
4. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
5. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
6. Abisko National Park, Sweden
7. Murmansk, Russia
8. Nuuk, Greenland
9. Also one for the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) is South Georgia Island, Antarctica
I was a bit disappointed to see Canada come up as 4th in the ratings.
See Oh Canada Post #37.
Your photo does it justice, nature is amazing. Hopefully we’ll get to visit that part of the world at some stage.
I saw their subjective list too, I think it’s made up. Loads of disappointing stories about Iceland due to its cover of cloud. Although a beautiful place to visit anyway.
SUIYHP
The King's Gull
Thanks, it really is one of those sights that makes you realise how staggeringly beautiful (and terrifying) the universe is, wishing you the best of luck!
I wouldn’t have put Lapland that high based on how hard it was for us to see them. Every time we had the forecast app on it seemed like Canada was the ideal place.
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Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
Went on a Northen Lights cruise and didn’t see a thing.
Did have better luck in Calgary City center wandering back from a bar
wondering if some club was putting on a light show until the penny dropped.
Amazing
Am told Abisko is very good, head away from the coast to avoid cloud, fog etc.
Did have better luck in Calgary City center wandering back from a bar
wondering if some club was putting on a light show until the penny dropped.
Amazing
Am told Abisko is very good, head away from the coast to avoid cloud, fog etc.
ExmouthExile
Well-known member
- Feb 11, 2005
- 1,800
I went a couple of years ago for my 50th birthday, I was bit apprehensive about it after looking at pictures and hearing about how cold it was, but it turned out to be one of the best holidays i’ve ever had, if not THE best. Ok it’s cold, very cold, but as long as you’re prepared properly for it, it’s not a problem and it just adds to the atmosphere of the place which, like someone else said, it’s like being on another planet. I would recommend taking one of the excursions to see the Lights, most of them will take you out again if you fail to see anything the first time. We were lucky enough to see the lights, but only just, they fired up just as we were about to return to the hotel but they were a bit disappointing, like a swirling white cloud rather than the green colour you see in pictures, but they came out green in my photos. Even if you don’t see the lights there’s plenty more to see, the scenery is spectacular. It is very expensive so try and take as many provisions as you can, that’s what we did.
Churchill has suffered from a railroad issue.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/world/canada/canada-climate-change-arctic.html
It's an interesting story because the issue deals with climate change.
Although they did get the rail connection back in December.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/churchill-passenger-rail-departs-winnipeg-1.4929478
Arthritic Toe
Well-known member
I'm beginning to think we were quite lucky then in Iceland in November. Seeing the lights was our main hope for the trip. Got to our cabin, sat in the hot tub for half an hour and there they were - spectacular show for the next hour.
Oh that is quite sad, train was how we got there from Winnipeg cost was quite reasonable as I remember.
https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/regional-trains/winnipeg-churchill
Currently CA$213 for 2 days and 2 nights. £122.