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Have you attempted to travel to see the Northern Lights? The spatial phenomenon is a treat that only few get to appreciate in their lifetime, the reason being they live in the Arctic Circle and are so damn elusive.
Basically, charged solar particles get excited and mix with atmospheric gases, becoming trapped in the Earth's magnetic field and producing the neon lights that seemingly dance across the sky. But the aurora borealis is limited to just the part of the world called the “Aurora Zone,” located at about 66 to 69 degrees north, or 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers from the magnetic poles -- meaning that, yes, there are also Southern Lights, or the aurora australis.
So, for one, those are very specific sections of the earth. And for another thing, the weather conditions have to be super precise in order for the light show to begin. You’ll want to aim for cold nights (the longer the better) and as little light pollution as possible, which is why most people head out in the winter months for aurora sightings: longer nights = less light.
Planning on heading out on a mission to find the lights? You can better your chances in a few ways, like checking the planetary k-index where you’ll be going. The number indicates electromagnetic activity in the atmosphere, with a 2 or higher being the best conditions for light showings. You can also find the latitude at a city you’re visiting; aim for those high 60s for prime viewing.
Keeping all of that in mind, here are the seven best aurora opportunities around the world.