Solar activity is the most active in 20 years
October to April of the following year is considered the best time to observe aurora.
Aurora related images. Photo = Getty Image Bank”/>
Aurora related images. Photo = Getty Image Bank “Seeing the Aurora in person, which I had only seen on TV, was so beautiful that I couldn’t help but admire it.”
Observing the Aurora is a dream for travelers and is considered a regular item on their ‘bucket list.’ The fantastic aurora, which appears in green, blue, purple, and red light, is a natural phenomenon that cannot be easily experienced. However, as predictions emerged that next year would be the ‘optimal time’ for aurora observation, the travel industry began attracting customers by launching aurora-related products.
According to the industry on the 17th, the industry has launched a series of Aurora tour products for this winter season. The focus was on the fact that we have entered the peak solar activity phase, when the probability of observing aurora is relatively high. Previously, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted that 2024-2025 would be the period of the most active solar activity in 20 years.
Aurora is a phenomenon in which part of the solar wind (charged particles) blowing from the sun enters the Earth’s magnetic field and rubs against the magnetic field in the upper atmosphere, producing light. It mainly appears over high-latitude areas such as the North and Antarctic circles. It is observed in the Scandinavian Peninsula, Canada, Alaska in the United States, and parts of Russia. Recently, aurora has been observed not only in Russia and Northern Europe, but also in major northern U.S. cities such as Chicago and New York, as well as central regions such as Washington DC and Kentucky. It was captured not only in major aurora observation areas due to maximum solar activity, but also in relatively low latitude areas.
The ‘Aurora tour sacred sites’ that the industry is paying attention to include Yellowknife in Canada, Reykjavik in Iceland, Tromsø in Norway, and Rovaniemi in Finland. In particular, Yellowknife, Canada, is the place with the highest probability of observing the Aurora, as it appears for about 240 days a year. It is known that on average, if you stay for 3 nights, you have a 95% chance of seeing the Aurora, and if you stay for 4 nights, you have a whopping 98% chance of seeing the Aurora. Iceland is a familiar aurora travel destination to domestic travelers as it was introduced as an aurora travel destination in an entertainment program.
Aurora related images. Photo = Getty Image Bank The industry is expected to increase the demand for trips to areas called aurora sacred places as the probability of observing aurora increases due to maximum solar activity, and has started to launch related products.
Kyowon Tour Travel Easy has significantly expanded its travel product lineup for the Aurora season. According to Travel Easy, the best time to observe aurora is from November to March of the following year. The explanation is that although the probability of observation varies depending on the weather and solar activity, the probability of observing aurora has increased this year as solar activity is predicted to be at its peak. In addition to Canada and Iceland, the representative aurora observation destinations, the range of aurora tour options has been expanded by adding products from Norway, Finland, and Alaska.
Modetour has launched a product promotion that includes aurora hunting schedules in Finland and Iceland. In particular, the Finnish product includes a tour of Rovaniemi, known as the residence of Santa Claus. It is known as a place where you can see the Aurora more clearly as the Arctic Circle passes through it.
An industry official said, “As we expect to be able to observe the Aurora more clearly in conjunction with the peak solar activity this winter, the number of customers going on an Aurora tour to achieve new experiences and fulfill their bucket lists is expected to increase.”
Shin Yong-hyun, Hankyung.com reporter yonghyun@hankyung.com
