The Aurora Borealis Explained
The Northern Lights, polar lights and Aurora Borealis refer to the same amazing natural wonder; the latter term is simply the scientific name.
The word Aurora is Latin for sunrise and the name of the Roman Goddess of the dawn, and Borealis is the Greek name for the north wind, so Aurora Borealis means “dawn of the north” which is the name Galileo gave to the lights in 1619.
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a natural, astronomical phenomenon that can light up the northern or southern skies, with fantastical shafts, curtains or twirls of several colours but, most commonly green, twisting and swirling in the sky. The Southern Lights are a similar phenomenon and are called the Aurora Australis where this means the “south wind”.
So, ‘Northern’ Lights only occur in the Northern Hemisphere, usually (but not exclusively) above a latitude of 66 degrees. Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Norway, Russia, Norway and Northern Sweden sit in this circle in the arctic, with Iceland just under at a latitude of 65.
On Antarctica (Southern pole) there are no cities or villages, 98% of the continent is covered by ice so there is very limited opportunity to visit to see the Northern Lights.
Embracing the Magic
A combined effort between the earth and the sun creates this wonderful visual explosion of awe inspiring colour in the night skies that have been observed since ancient times causing excited wonder and sometimes fear in the native populations. However the Northern Lights can now be enjoyed by many nationalities thanks to modern travel> People can spend time enjoying all the winter activities and then spend the nights staring at the sky hoping for a glimpse of the dancing Northern Lights; indeed many people now go on a specific Northern Lights holiday with the objective of experiencing this magical phenomenon.
Many people do not know that the Northern Lights are also there in the daytime, but the sun is too bright for us to actually see them which is why you need the dark nights, away from modern light pollution and minimal cloud cover.
The best Northern Lights trips will plan so that you are in the right place away from artificial light pollution, and in areas that have an high incidence of minimal cloud cover (such as Abisko Sweden, Tromso in Norway and the Þórsmörk Valley in Southern Iceland) so you have
a higher chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Worth Reading
Learn more about the Northern Lights
Our Top Picks
Northern Lights Holidays
Classic short breaks in Finland
Book a classic short break in Finland and enjoy winter adventures by day and chase the Northern Lights by night.
Classic Short Breaks in Iceland
Short Iceland breaks that combine dramatic volcanic scenery, super-jeep adventures and breath-taking Northern Lights tours. Short but spectacular.
Classic Short Breaks in Norway
Classic Short Breaks in Norway. Chase the Northern Lights over a long weekend. Our Norway short breaks pack lots of culture, adventure and Aurora hunting into one spectacular holiday.
Classic short breaks in Sweden
Experience the magic of the Arctic on a short getaway to Swedish Lapland, with up to four days of outdoor adventure and aurora hunting.
Escorted tours Iceland
On escorted tours in Iceland, just sit back and enjoy the scenery. Explore Iceland’s natural wonders, guided by our aurora experts.
Escorted tours Norway
See the best of Arctic Norway. Discover dramatic fjords, mountains and glaciers on a Norway escorted tour.
Exclusive aurora holidays in Finland
Luxury northern lights holidays to Finland are an unforgettable way to see the aurora, with exclusive accommodation and activities.
Exclusive aurora holidays in Iceland
Opt for a luxury holiday to Iceland and experience the northern lights as a VIP, with private activities and high-end accommodation options.
Exclusive aurora holidays in Norway
These luxury northern lights holidays combine private Arctic activities and high-end accommodation options for an extra-special aurora experience.
Exclusive Northern Lights holidays in Sweden
Embark on a luxury Northern Lights holiday to Swedish Lapland, staying in exceptional accommodation and enjoying private tour experiences.
Glass igloo holidays in Finland
Igloo holidays in Finland are a one-of-a-kind experience. Spend your nights in a cosy, glass-roofed igloo, with the starry sky above.
Self-drive tours in Iceland
Ready for an adventure? Then self-drive tours in Iceland give you the freedom and flexibility to explore this stunning country at your own pace.
Ready for an aurora adventure?
Book with Aurora Nights, the Northern Lights holiday experts. We will personally plan your bucket-list Northern Lights adventure holiday to Swedish Lapland, Iceland, Norway and Finland.
