Northern Lights Above the Lofoten Islands of Norway

June 07, 2021

 

Hamnoy

Photographer: Alvaro Perez 
Summary Authors: Alvaro Perez; Jim Foster

This majestic aurora was observed above northern Norway, specifically from the Lofoten Islands. Because of these island’s privileged geographical position, where the auroral oval often traverses, they're one of best places in the world to enjoy the northern lights. However, by late spring the night sky at these latitudes isn't dark enough to easily detect auroras.

The faster particles emanating from the Sun (solar wind) move, the more intense the geomagnetic activity (Kp index), and thus, typically, the brighter the aurora. Photo taken on February 18, 2019.