Northern Lights - December 2013

[splitfirz]

Hey guys,

Anyone interested to go for the following trip?
Hoping to see the aurora's since its at solar maximum this year.

Previous travellers please feel free to make suggestions.

Looking at travelling in Dec.

Singapore-Stockholm
Stockholm-Tromso/Lapland

OR

Singapore-Oslo
Oslo-Tromso/Lapland

 

[Lordzephyr9]

It's gonna be very very cold. Do u think we are able to see aurora at end aug?

 

[alpc]

If you are worry about cold - end Sept, early Oct would be better.

Anyway, I believe the coldest winter period is Jan/Feb.

 

[Lordzephyr9]

If you are worry about cold - end Sept, early Oct would be better.

Anyway, I believe the coldest winter period is Jan/Feb.

actually im going on end aug/beginning sept. but i dunno if its worth making the trip to see northern lights as the recommended period is oct -march.

 

[weeyoung]

Im going around end Oct/early Nov. Hope to see it too.

Should be going to Iceland/Norway and Finland (if there is time)

 

[jtleee]

i am interested. for those who had gone before please share with us your 'journey'

 

[alpc]

Well.. if you got time to scroll back the number of pictures submitted to Spaceweather and check to see if anyone managed to get shots of them during that time period.

It's a matter of weather - cloudless sky; solar behaviour - solar flares erupting with CME winds; and finally is the sky dark enough (or if the CME wind is so great, that even with a less than dark sky could see).

 

[green_day_er]

I'm interested as well. Wondering if it's better to go on tours. Some tours will provide all the necessary clothing and equipment for the cold too. here's one of them Northern Lights Holiday. Arctic adventure tours and holidays.

 

[alpc]

I'm interested as well. Wondering if it's better to go on tours. Some tours will provide all the necessary clothing and equipment for the cold too. here's one of them Northern Lights Holiday. Arctic adventure tours and holidays.

Those kinds of small group tours are your best bet for it. Not only they provide the necessary stuff for the weather, but they know and do their very best to find cloudless sky spots and they are very good at spotting aurora, even if you can't really see it yet. If they are kind enough, they can even teach you how to spot early traces of aurora...

But, do note that you really have to make the effort to stay on it - it can be very tiring!!! Especially when the lights are bright - it can last for hours! Oh, don't think that maybe next day can still see - cause you never know what happens the next day!

For my case, I went to Finland instead of Norway, and the (local, ok, almost local since it was a Brit that runs it) tour price includes full boarding, and it was a great 3 nights of aurora hunting (see aurora for those 3 days) and a good 4 days night stay at the location.

 

[splitfirz]

Those kinds of small group tours are your best bet for it. Not only they provide the necessary stuff for the weather, but they know and do their very best to find cloudless sky spots and they are very good at spotting aurora, even if you can't really see it yet. If they are kind enough, they can even teach you how to spot early traces of aurora...

But, do note that you really have to make the effort to stay on it - it can be very tiring!!! Especially when the lights are bright - it can last for hours! Oh, don't think that maybe next day can still see - cause you never know what happens the next day!

For my case, I went to Finland instead of Norway, and the (local, ok, almost local since it was a Brit that runs it) tour price includes full boarding, and it was a great 3 nights of aurora hunting (see aurora for those 3 days) and a good 4 days night stay at the location.

Yes. Was thinking of settling flight and accommodation by myself then just sign up for aurora hunting tours for the evenings

 

[tarui04]

Estimated cost?

 

[kwarch]

i am planning for a trip too..

 

[nuilnuil]

Interested. How about duration?

 

[luVgErgEr]

I am planning a trip to catch the northern lights somewhere march nxt yr but was thinking issit better to go alaska or norway cos everywhere seem so beautiful.
Any advise?

 

[nivek001]

Went to Yellowknife in Canada to catch the aurora, snow mobile, dog sledding,... The whole lot.
Spent 5 days there to make sure I catch the "good" nights.
The aurora is mysterious and beautiful, in the star-filled sky.
Bring along a tripod for your camera...
It's also rather cold... -37.
Can visit other parts of Canada after your aurora viewing.
Lovely country.... inexpensive imo.
2013 is supposed to be a good year to watch the northern lights.... Google for the science behind it.
Caught the lights in New Zealand too... But far lesser chance of seeing it there.

 

[alpc]

nivek001, you are one of those rare people who managed to catch both northern and southern lights...

 

[nivek001]

Lol. Ok la. Didn't intend to see the southern lights. But got lucky.
Thanks.

 

[yennylee_89]

You so lucky la~~~ To see the northern lights is like one my greatest dreams but it's frustrating to not know exactly when to travel for it! >.< It would be great if I could spend a few months in Norway for it but as if that's possible for me...

 

[nivek001]

Hi... It's not that expensive in Canada and in my opinion, there're more places to see in Canada than Finland or Norway. Yellowknife is also one of the best spots in the world to catch the aurora.
5 days should be enough if you go at the right "season"....
I paid CAD1400 for accommodation in hotel, night aurora viewing, snow mobile, dog sledding tours, etc.
Meals on my own but I like it that way.
Have to take domestic flight in Canada (from major cities) to get to Yellowknife so that's a bit extra, say CAD200 or less?
Let me know if u want any contacts or more info.... Lol.

 

[Do_As_Infinity]

Lol. Ok la. Didn't intend to see the southern lights. But got lucky.
Thanks.

Hi niv, where do you happened to see the southern lights?

Planning to head to NZ in Aug hoping to catch the southern light at lake tekapo.