When and where to see the aurora borealis (with sunset times)
The aurora borealis (northern lights) appears when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. The result: shimmering green, red, and purple curtains in the night sky, visible only at high latitudes and only during periods of darkness. Catching them requires being in the right place at the right time of year, with clear skies and strong solar activity.
For sunset times that determine when "darkness" begins (and thus when auroras can be seen), the sunrise-sunset page helps.
The science
Auroras happen when:
1. The sun ejects charged particles (solar wind, coronal mass ejections)
2. Those particles travel ~1-3 days to Earth
3. They're deflected by Earth's magnetic field, funneling toward the poles
4. They hit oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the upper atmosphere
5. Excited gases emit light — green from oxygen at ~100 km altitude, red from oxygen at higher altitudes, purple/blue from nitrogen
The result is the dancing curtains of light familiar from photographs.
Where to see it
Aurora is visible only in a roughly oval ring around the magnetic north pole — the "auroral oval." On a typical night, this oval covers parts of:
- Norway: especially Tromsø, Lofoten Islands, North Cape
- Iceland: nationwide, with various viewing spots
- Sweden: Lapland (Abisko is famously good)
- Finland: Lapland (Rovaniemi, Inari, Kakslauttanen)
- Russia: Murmansk, Kola Peninsula
- Canada: Yukon, Northwest Territories, parts of Alberta and Manitoba
- Alaska: Fairbanks especially
- Greenland: most of it
During particularly strong auroras (high solar activity), the oval expands and the lights can be seen as far south as:
- Northern UK and Ireland
- Northern US (Maine, Michigan, Washington state)
- Northern France and Germany
- Sometimes parts of Spain and Italy (very rare, exceptional events)
When to see it
Three conditions must be met:
1. Darkness. Auroras are invisible during daylight. You need full astronomical darkness. This is the limiting factor for high latitudes in summer.
2. Clear skies. Cloud cover blocks the view. Local weather matters as much as solar activity.
3. Solar activity. Stronger geomagnetic activity = brighter and more frequent auroras.
These conditions vary across the year:
- Best months: September, October, February, March (good darkness + good geomagnetic activity)
- Worst months: June, July (no darkness above Arctic Circle in summer; midnight sun)
- Specific time of night: typically 10 PM - 2 AM local time, when the auroral oval is most active overhead
The role of sunset times
To see auroras, you need full darkness. This means:
- Astronomical twilight must end (sun at -18° below horizon)
- This typically happens 1-2 hours after sunset at temperate latitudes
- At high latitudes, in winter, true astronomical darkness is the most of the day
- At high latitudes, in summer, darkness may not happen at all (midnight sun)
The sunrise-sunset page shows when astronomical twilight ends for any city — the moment "real" aurora viewing becomes possible.
For Tromsø in March: sunset around 5 PM, astronomical twilight ends around 7 PM. From 7 PM to ~6 AM, conditions are good for aurora viewing.
For Tromsø in June: sun never sets. Aurora viewing is essentially impossible (the sky never gets dark).
Solar cycle considerations
The sun has an 11-year activity cycle. We're currently approaching solar maximum (peak activity), which means:
- 2024-2026: high solar activity. More frequent auroras. Often visible at lower latitudes than usual.
- 2027-2029: declining activity. Auroras still visible but less frequent.
- 2030-2031: solar minimum. Auroras still possible but require stronger conditions.
If you're planning a trip specifically for auroras, 2024-2026 is the best window for the next decade.
Best viewing locations by country
Iceland: Reykjavik (yes, it's in the auroral oval); Westfjords; Mývatn area. Iceland has the advantage of being relatively easy to reach.
Norway: Tromsø (the most popular destination), Senja, Lofoten Islands, North Cape. The "Aurora Capital" of Norway is Tromsø.
Finland: Rovaniemi, Inari, glass igloos at Kakslauttanen (you can sleep under the aurora).
Sweden: Abisko (statistically clearer skies than nearby areas). Kiruna.
Alaska: Fairbanks. Wickersham Airport area.
Canada: Yellowknife, Whitehorse. Northern Saskatchewan.
Greenland: Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissat.
What to expect
What auroras actually look like:
- Faint auroras: gray-white curtains. Subtle. You might mistake them for clouds at first.
- Moderate auroras: clearly green curtains. Slow-moving. The most common type tourists see.
- Strong auroras: vivid green with red and purple. Fast-moving. Curtains, rays, and arcs visible. The dramatic show.
- Very strong auroras (rare): visible at lower latitudes; may look subtle but include red and purple at horizon.
Photos almost always show stronger auroras than what your eye sees. Long-exposure photography brings out colors and movement that aren't visible in real-time.
Forecasting auroras
Several services predict aurora activity:
- NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: scientific predictions, free
- AuroraWatch.ca: aurora forecasts for North America
- My Aurora Forecast app: convenient mobile interface
- Aurora Forecast app (NOAA): detailed scientific data
Predictions are reasonable for the next 1-3 days. Beyond that, accuracy drops.
The "Kp index"
The Kp index is the most-used measure of aurora activity:
- Kp 0-2: weak auroras visible only at very high latitudes (above 70°)
- Kp 3-4: moderate auroras visible at typical Arctic locations (Tromsø, Fairbanks)
- Kp 5-6: stronger auroras, visible further south
- Kp 7+: strong storm; visible at much lower latitudes (UK, US Northern states, etc.)
Most touristic aurora viewing happens at Kp 3-5. Kp 7+ events are rare and exciting.
Photography tips
Aurora photography requires specific equipment:
Camera:
- DSLR or mirrorless with good low-light performance
- Wide-angle lens (10-24mm equivalent)
- Manual control essential
- Tripod absolutely required
Settings:
- Manual mode
- Aperture wide open (f/2.8 or wider)
- ISO 800-3200 (depending on camera)
- Shutter 5-30 seconds
- Manual focus on stars (autofocus fails in low light)
- Long-exposure noise reduction off (slows shooting)
Composition:
- Include foreground (mountains, lakes, trees) for scale
- Avoid light pollution behind you
- Test exposures before the aurora intensifies; adjust as needed
Travel tips
If you're planning an aurora trip:
Stay 5+ nights: weather variability means you might miss auroras on some nights. More nights = better chance.
Stay outside cities: light pollution is the enemy. Get to dark-sky areas.
Use a guide service for first trip. Local guides know the best spots and weather patterns.
Watch the sky 10 PM - 2 AM. Earlier and later are possible but less likely.
Dress warmly. Standing outside watching the sky for hours in -20°C is cold.
Watch forecasts for both Kp index and local weather.
FAQ
What's the difference between aurora borealis and aurora australis?
Same phenomenon, different hemisphere. Aurora borealis (northern lights) over the Arctic; aurora australis (southern lights) over the Antarctic. Aurora australis is harder to see because there's less land at high southern latitudes.
Can I see auroras during a full moon?
Sometimes. A full moon adds light pollution, making faint auroras harder to see. Strong auroras are still visible, but for best viewing, plan around the new moon (Lunar Phase = New).
What's the cheapest way to see auroras?
Iceland is generally the most accessible. Direct flights from US/Europe; reasonable prices in winter. Tromsø is the next-best in terms of accessibility and aurora frequency.
How far south can I see auroras?
In a typical year, the auroral oval passes through 60-70°N. During strong storms (Kp 7+), auroras are visible at 45°N or even further south. The 1859 Carrington Event was visible in tropical latitudes.
What if there's a cloudy night?
You can't see them. Have backup plans (other activities, multiple nights). Many tour operators offer "aurora guarantees" — if you don't see them, partial refunds.
Will I really see them or are photos exaggerated?
You'll see them, but photos look more dramatic. Long-exposure photography accumulates more light than your eye sees. To the unaided eye, auroras may be subtler — but still beautiful.
Bottom line
Aurora borealis is best seen at high latitudes (60°N+) during dark, clear nights with moderate solar activity. Best months are September, October, February, March. Plan a 5+ night trip to maximize chances. Use forecasts (Kp index, weather) and dark-sky locations.
For sunset and astronomical twilight times that determine when viewing becomes possible, the sunrise-sunset page handles them.