In this article we want to tell you all about auroras. Therefore, we answer the most frequently asked questions.
When is the best time to see auroras?
Winter lasts in the Arctic from late September until late March or early April. During this time, the polar sky is dark enough to see the northern lights from the correct position. The aurora is most active around the equinoxes, in March and September.
Tromsø is titled an aurora hotspot on numerous websites. The probability of seeing auroras during a visit is nine nights out of 10 during winter.
Where can you best observe auroras?
They are located near the poles – in countries within the auroral oval. Auroras occur at altitudes far above cloud cover, the weather must also clear
Can you see auroras at full moon?
Yes! Northern lights can be seen at every moon phase, but at full moon, only the stronger ones, because the moon emits brightness and can “swallow” weaker lights.
How do you photograph auroras?
- Focal length 10 mm (APS-C) or 12 – 14 mm (full format)
- Wide open aperture (f/2.8 or f/4.0)
- Exposure time is 5 to 30 seconds.
- ISO value between 800 and 3200.
- Focus on just before infinity.
- Deactivate the image stabilizer.
- Include the prominent subject/foreground in the picture.
Are northern lights dangerous?
The aurora originates far up in the atmosphere and may not pose any danger. However, the electrically charged particles of the solar wind, which are responsible for the formation of the aurora, generate electromagnetic fields.
How hot are auroras?
Inside them, it is unimaginably hot, many millions of degrees Celsius. Because of the intense heat, the gas glows and shines – like a light bulb, only much brighter. The light from the stars is so intense that we can see it from Earth, even though the stars are many trillions of kilometers away.
Why are the northern lights green in photos?
Auroras can take on six colors. Green auroras are usually caused by oxygen at an altitude of about 80 to 150 kilometers (50 to 93 miles). At an altitude between 150 and 600 kilometers (50 to 373 miles), red and blue colors are caused by nitrogen atoms.