Natural phenomenon
You don’t have to go to Lapland to see the Northern Lights: in the coming nights there is a good chance that the special light phenomenon will also appear in our country.
What are the Northern Lights again?
The Northern Lights are a phenomenon where you see colored glows in the sky. The phenomenon is caused by charged particles from the sun entering our atmosphere. They then collide with particles from the atmosphere, creating the typical light phenomenon.
The Northern Lights mainly occur at the poles, but can also be seen in our region. There will be more opportunity for this in the coming years. This is because the sun is very active and will remain so for a while, with heavy solar storms and eruptions, causing many charged particles to enter our atmosphere.
To be clear, it is not dangerous to look at the Northern Lights. Looking into the sun is harmful.
Should I look out for something green?
No, the Northern Lights can have any color. So green, but also red, purple, blue and orange, depending on which particles react to each other. The colors sometimes move in bands. Those dancing, colorful curtains are the ultimate for a northern lights spotter.
Where can I best see the Northern Lights?
Far from light pollution. So somewhere in a field in the countryside, with a good view of the horizon. Keep your gaze fixed towards the north.
And when exactly should I look?
There is a chance of seeing the Northern Lights in our country on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. You can observe the Northern Lights as soon as it gets dark. There is no disturbing light from a full moon, so that is also a bonus.
Let your eyes get used to the darkness. And film with your smartphone in night mode: the camera is more sensitive than the human eye. This way you can see the light spectacle even better.
