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TRAVEL
NEWS
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THE
NORTHERN LIGHTS
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Solar
flares and explosions hurl particles that
collide with the Earth's atmosphere, producing
energy emitted as photons, or light particles.
It takes a 100 million photons to make the
aurora borealis, or northern lights, visible
to the naked eye.
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As with rainbow spotting, there are no guarantees.
The key ingredients are a cloudless sky, little
or no moon and luck. For the best odds, head near
or above the Arctic Circle from October through
March. At 78 degrees north, between mainland Norway
and the North Pole, Spitsbergen on the Svalbard
archipelago is the world's northernmost place reached
by regularly scheduled flights (about $200 round
trip from Olso). If that's too hardcore, go as far
north as you can manage. The Norwegian town of Hammerfest
was popularized as a viewing place by Bill Bryson's
"Neither Here Nor There"; Tromso is a decent-size
city with charm 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
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Though
110 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks,
Alaska, has reliable enough viewing to attract
scientists annually. Whichever destination
you choose, ask around about when to head
out for a look; locals keep tabs on the best
viewing times, which can change seasonally.
Who knew? Every 11 or so years, the northern
lights are known to appear way below the Arctic
Circle. In 2000 they were visible in El Paso,
Texas. Wherever you are during the winters
of 2011 and 2012, be sure to look up at night.
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