There is one trick the magical Aurora Borealis has perfected: the power to surprise. Be it the way in which the lights appear, the best time to travel or ways to witness it, there are tons of inaccurate beliefs surrounding the Northern Lights.

At Magnetic North Travel, we have been organising Northern Lights trips for nearly ten years and are still learning about the science and magic behind the lights. During this time we also came across quite a few misconceptions ourselves. Without trying to spoil the experience we decided to bust some of the most common misconceptions based on our own experiences.

#1 There is a long build up

The Northern Lights strike suddenly and unexpectedly. In fact, many travellers are taken aback by the lack of build up. It’s almost like someone pulled the trigger or the plug, as they fade as quickly as they emerge. Sometimes the show lasts for hours, sometimes it’s only a few minutes.

Given the suddenness of the experience, we recommend following the advice of an Aurora guide who will have the technical skill and equipment to monitor the movements of the Northern Lights.

#2 There is one single best place to see the Northern Lights

There is not.  Seeing the Northern Lights depends on a multitude of factors including weather, Aurora activity and location. Even by combining all these factors it is impossible to drop a pin needle on the map and declare it to be the best Aurora viewing spot.

Generally speaking, there is a great degree of flexibility when it comes to Northern Lights Chases. The Arctic Lights are best visible above the Arctic Circle which runs through Northern parts of Scandinavia, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, Alaska and Russia. Sometimes they are visible further south e.g. in Scotland.

If the Northern Lights are the main purpose of the trip we recommend travelling above or close to the Arctic Circle. As a general rule of thumb, the further north you travel, the higher your chances of seeing the lights.

Once at the Arctic Circle, local factors such as the weather may impact on your Northern Lights experience. To maximise your chances we recommend joining a Northern Lights tour and a minimum stay of three nights.

#3 Clear skies are enough to see the lights

Lots of travel guides rightly emphasize the importance of clear skies. Based on the likelihood of clear skies they highlight those cloud-free regions as the ones with the best viewing chances. There is a grain of truth in this, overcast skies doom your Northern Lights experience. However, clear skies by no means guarantee Northern Lights. The winning combination consists of darkness, visibility and Aurora activity.

If you definitely want to avoid clouds as a risk factor you can join an Aurora flight from Tromso airport. Get in touch with the team to learn more about this option.

#4 Winter is the only time to see the Northern Lights

The Aurora season officially kicks off in September and ends in late March. Some lucky travellers may be able to see them earlier or later than this if the conditions are good. Contrary to the popular belief, some experts believe that late autumn and early spring see the strongest Northern Lights activity since the angle of the earth is more favourable.

Winter, on the other hand, allows travellers to spot the Aurora earlier. Since darkness sets in early the lights can be witnessed earlier during the day. In autumn, Northern Lights Chasers have to hold their breath for a little longer but benefit from a lack of snow. Even snow and ice reflecting in the moonlight can slightly diminish the visibility of a weak Aurora.

So who wins, autumn or winter? We’d like to call it a draw.

#5 The Northern Lights can be seen from the city

To best experience the Northern Lights, it is essential to remove yourself from any light disturbance. Only extremely strong Northern Lights can compete with the light pollution of a small village let alone a city.

There are many ways to escape light pollution, either by joining a tour that takes you off the beaten track.

Choose from: 

• Snowshoeing
• Snowmobiling
• Minibus tours
• Boat tours
• Aurora plane rides
• Self-drives

Alternatively, you can fill two needs with one deed and travel to a remote resort. Most hotels, lodges or resorts offer a local Northern Lights tour to boost your chances of seeing the lights. Many resorts put a quirky spin on some of their stays e.g. a glass igloo, glass-walled sea cabins or a mobile cabin.

#5 You can best see the Northern Lights through the naked eye

The Northern Lights haven’t earned their elusive reputation by accident. Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between a weak Aurora and white clouds. A good camera can boost your chances and catch colours invisible to the naked eye.

Even though conditions might not be very promising during the tour you might be able to flick through some decent photos later on. If you enjoy playing around with your camera we recommend joining a photography tour. Some hosts will share your passion for photography and are happy to share their tips and tricks.

Our tip: When joining a Northern Lights tour, travellers need to decide if they want to capture or enjoy the moment. Both are legitimate choices but a photography tour may be more suitable for those who need some time to set up their camera.

Do you know of any other myths surrounding the Northern Lights? Feel free to message us with your questions about the Northern Lights!

Make it happen:  Contact our Aurora experts get the chance of seeing the Northern Lights with your own eyes this winter. 

Image credits: 

Image 3: Hannes Becker, Visit Finland Image 4: Wolfgang Bublitz Image 5: Temu Tretjakov, Visit Finland Image 6: Jason Charles Hill, Visit Finland