Northern Lights

The Northern Lights – also called Aurora Borealis – are among the most spectacular shows on earth, frequently seen in Iceland on clear and crisp nights. The Northern Lights occur high above the surface of the earth where the atmosphere has become extremely thin, at an altitude of 100-250 km. This phenomenon occurs in the outermost layer of the atmosphere, created by electrically charged particles that make the thin air shine.

White and green are usually the dominant hues but sometimes there are considerable colour variations, as the pressure and composition of the atmosphere varies at different altitudes. At extremely high altitudes where the pressure is low, there tends to be a reddish glow produced by oxygen molecules when they are struck by the tiny particles of the solar wind. At lower altitudes, where there is higher pressure, the impact-irritated oxygen molecules may glow with a greenish tinge and sometimes there is a reddish lower border created by particles colliding with nitrogen molecules in the immediate vicinity.

Northern Lights can be seen in Iceland from the end of August to mid- April. Enjoy the clear skies by simply looking upwards.