Explanation of the symbols
The northern lights are present all year around, but we can’t see them unless the evenings and nights are dark. Also, the northern lights are above the highest clouds, which means that we need a clear sky to be able to see them. Cloudy skies are the main obstacles for observing the northern lights in Northern Norway.

The app’s icons are based on two factors; northern light activity and clouds. When the activity is high, the northern light icon has a bright color. When the activity is lower, the color fades. The size and number of clouds indicates how cloudy the sky is.

The recommendation: GO, TRY, WAIT is a combination of the northern light activity and how cloudy the sky is. It gives you an indication of how good the experience is expected to be.

How does the phenomenon occur?
The northern lights are a physical phenomenon that occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun hurtle towards the Earth. The light becomes visible when the particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere. The Earth’s magnetic field directs the particles towards the openings near the North and South Poles, and thus the phenomenon can only be observed near the magnetic poles. The polar light in the northern hemisphere is called aurora borealis - or northern lights - while the polar lights in the southern hemisphere are called aurora australis, the southern lights.

The colour spectrum of the northern lights
The northern lights can be many different colours. This is determined by the gases with which the particles from the sun collide. This, in turn, is determined by the altitude at which the collision takes place in the atmosphere. The visible northern lights are from 90 to approximately 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface, and the colours can be categorised roughly as follows:

• More than 150 kilometres: Red light
• 120 km - 150 kilometres: Yellow-green light
• Less than 120 kilometres: Blue-purple light

How often can you see the northern lights?

The northern lights are influenced by activity on the sun, and strong solar winds increase and intensify the northern lights. The northern lights are therefore always present. Historically, the chances of seeing the northern lights are best viewed in Northern Norway between October and March, because the polar night makes them easier to see.

Where can you see the northern lights?
The northern lights are visible in a belt around the magnetic North Pole. Because of their location and accessibility, the counties of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark are perfect as a base for experiencing the northern lights. Northern Norway also offers a number of other activities that, combined with the northern lights, can make your trip truly unique.

When can you see the northern lights?
It must be a dark, cloudless night for the northern lights to be visible. Northern Norway during the polar night is therefore your best bet for experiencing the northern lights. Experience shows that the northern lights shine most often and strongest a few hours before and after midnight. The northern lights are strongest when an active area on the sun’s surface faces Earth. Spectacular displays of the northern lights thus occur at roughly 27-day intervals, the time it takes the sun to rotate once. October, February and March are the best months for seeing the aurora borealis.

History
The northern lights have fascinated and captivated people through the ages, and they are mentioned in texts written by Aristotle, among others. Chinese texts from 2000 BC also describe what may be the northern lights. The earliest explanations and descriptions fuelled the myths and mystery surrounding the northern lights, and it was not until the 17th century that the phenomenon was studied in a more systematic and scientific manner. A connection was gradually discovered between the northern lights and magnetic disruptions, and that the sun's activity influenced the phenomenon.

In 1886, Norwegian physicist Kristian Birkeland formulated the first comprehensive theory on the northern lights based on these previous observations. Birkeland developed and underpinned his theory, and his work came to form the basis for modern research on the northern lights. This research still continues today, and it has given us new information about the sun, the Earth's atmosphere and near space.

Myths and legends about the northern lights
There were a great deal of mystery and myths associated with the northern lights in former times. Some considered the northern lights to be an omen of war or plague while others believed the lights were created by dead, old, unmarried women. People were advised against waving white clothing at the northern lights, as this would anger them and cause them to remove you from Earth. Others believed, on the contrary, that the northern lights would wink back if you waved a white garment at them. The Sami people believed that the northern lights had supernatural power, and they used symbols from the lights on their shaman drums.

How to see the northern lights better
The northern lights are best viewed on cloudless, dark nights. The weather is therefore the most significant obstacle to seeing the northern lights. There is a greater chance of stable winter weather inland and in the inner reaches of the fjords.

Light pollution from buildings and roads may degrade the viewing experience, so try to find viewing areas away from sources of light. The full moon may have the same effect, but may actually help you if you plan to take pictures, in that it may light up the foreground and surroundings and make it easier to focus and get a sharp image.

Photo tips
There are a few additional things you should remember if you want to take good photos of the northern lights. Dressing warm is also important; there could be a lot of waiting around.

• Use a digital camera with interchangeable lenses and a remote control release.
• Use a tripod.
• Remember to fully charge the battery and bring extras if you have them.
• Keep the batteries in your pocket until you’re ready to use them, as some batteries will have a temporarily lower capacity than normal when cold.
• Deactivate the flash and automatic settings.
• Choose an ISO setting between 100 and 400.
• Shoot both raw and jpg if you can.
• The lens should be in manual focus mode and set to infinity.
• Use a long shutter speed, for example 30 seconds or more.
• Use a large aperture, preferably of f/2.8 or better.
• It is best to use a wide-angle lens, the brighter (ie. large aperture) the better.

Be patient.