Northern lights

The northern lights season lasts from September to April, when nights are long and dark enough to see the lights. The best time to catch the aurora is usually between 10 PM and 2 AM, though it can appear earlier or later in the evening.

Best places to see the northern lights. As long as you're above the arctic circle, the chances of seeing them are higher. But they tend to show up all over Norway the it's really strong.

A few beautiful locations to see it:

• Tromsø

• Senja

• Lofoten

• Lyngen

• Vesterålen

• Svalbard
  

How to know when the northern lights will appear
There are several ways to stay updated on aurora activity and increase your chances of catching a glimpse:

• Aurora forecasts: You can check websites and apps that provide aurora activity forecasts. These services use data from solar winds and Earth’s magnetic field to estimate the likelihood of northern lights. Personally, I use the Aurora app and the weather app YR, but you can also check out My Aurora Forecast, Aurora Alerts, and Norway Lights (by Visit Norway).

• Kp index: This is a measurement of geomagnetic activity, with values ranging from 0 to 9. The higher the Kp index, the greater the chance of seeing the northern lights. For locations north of the Arctic Circle, like Tromsø and Alta, a Kp index of around 2–4 is often sufficient.

• Check the weather forecast: Even if there’s aurora activity, you won’t be able to see it if it’s cloudy.
  

Checklist for northern lights hunting

• Get away from any town or village with lights

• Dress warmly

• Be patient

• Explore multiple locations; the weather can be very local
  

Capturing the northern lights with your phone
While DSLR cameras typically get the best results, it’s possible to take surprisingly good aurora photos with a smartphone, especially newer models with good night mode features. The photos above a just shot with my iPhone!

Two things to keep in mind when you capture it:

• Keep still or use a tripod: Keeping your phone steady is essential, as photos in the dark require a long exposure time. A small tripod or something to support your phone on will make a big difference for sharper photos.

• Use night mode: Most newer smartphones have a built-in night mode that allows for longer exposure times. On an iPhone, for example, this can go up to 10 seconds. Set it as high as possible.