Northern Lights and the Science Behind the Bucket List Brilliance

Article Highlights:

• The Aurora Borealis is a bucket-list attraction for 2025, especially in remote Arctic destinations.
• Because solar particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere, the northern lights can appear green, pink, violet, red and white.
• Peak viewing occurs between September and March in the northern hemisphere, far from light pollution.
• Smartphone cameras can capture vivid aurora images with a tripod and the right night mode settings.
• Remote aurora travel comes with risks; Global Rescue provides medical, evacuation and security support when needed most.

Few natural phenomena stir the soul, like the aurora borealis. Also known as the northern lights, these breathtaking ribbons of color sweep across polar skies in shimmering green, purple and pink waves. For 2025, the northern lights top the list of dream experiences among the world’s most seasoned adventurers, according to the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

“Travelers continue to seek more immersive travel experiences like witnessing the northern lights,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member. “They’re evolving beyond superficial experiences and, instead, seek the authenticity of natural phenomena like the northern lights.”

And while chasing the aurora can be magical, it also comes with a few challenges, from remote locations with limited infrastructure to unpredictable weather and solar activity. Here’s everything you need to know about the Aurora Borealis and how to experience it safely and successfully.

What Causes the Northern and Southern Lights?

The northern lights are born from space weather. When charged particles ejected from the sun during a solar flare reach Earth, they interact with our planet’s magnetic field. These particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere – primarily oxygen and nitrogen – causing them to emit light.

The result is the Aurora Borealis in the northern hemisphere and the Aurora Australis in the southern. Colors depend on the altitude and the type of gas:

• Green (most common): Oxygen around 60–185 miles up.
• Pink or red: Oxygen at higher altitudes.
• Purple and blue: Nitrogen reacting to energetic collisions.

To the naked eye, most people will see green hues, sometimes tinged with pink or violet. Stronger auroras may appear to dance, ripple or streak dramatically across the sky. You might see a faint gray shimmer in low-intensity displays – your camera will often reveal more detail than your eyes.

Capturing the Aurora Borealis

In the northern hemisphere, prime viewing spots lie above 66° latitude and far from city lights. Top destinations include:

• Norway (Tromsø, Senja, Lofoten Islands) – One of the best and most accessible regions, with tours, infrastructure and frequent aurora displays.
• Iceland – Popular for its landscapes and aurora visibility, especially in the remote Westfjords and north.
• Sweden and Finland (Lapland) – Great for viewing and winter adventures like snowmobiling and dog sledding.
• Alaska (Fairbanks) – High success rate and US-based convenience.
• Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories) – Less crowded, more rugged experiences.

The Aurora Australis (southern lights) is harder to see than the Aurora Borealis due to limited landmass and accessibility near the South Pole. While both displays are caused by the same atmospheric phenomenon and can be equally vibrant, the Southern Hemisphere has fewer easily accessible viewing spots, more isolated landmasses and more challenging travel conditions, making sightings less frequent unless you’re in Antarctica.

Top locations include:

• Tasmania (Australia)
• Stewart Island and the Otago Coast (New Zealand)
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Antarctica – Accessible via specialty expedition cruises or scientific tours.

The best time to view auroras is during the winter when nights are long and the skies are darkest – September to March in the north and March to September in the south. Clear, cold nights increase your chances, as do locations away from light pollution.

Modern smartphone cameras, especially those with “night mode” and long exposure features, can capture stunning aurora images if used correctly. Tips include:

• Use a tripod or steady surface to avoid motion blur.
• Enable manual settings or use a pro photography app.
• Increase exposure time and lower ISO to avoid grain.
• Focus manually to infinity.
• Dress warmly and protect your phone battery from the cold.

Are the Northern Lights Dangerous?

Visually? No. The aurora is harmless to the human eye and doesn’t pose a direct health risk. Staring at it won’t damage your vision.

Reaching places where you can reliably see the aurora, however, does pose some hazards. Many of the best viewing areas are remote and cold. Travelers risk frostbite, hypothermia, weather-related delays and vehicle breakdowns in icy terrain. In places like the Arctic Circle, help may be hours – or even days – away.

That’s why, as Dan Richards explains, “The availability of effective, reliable traveler protection helps make immersive travel experiences that allow individuals to engage deeply with local cultures, environments and communities possible, especially in remote regions where access to communication, first responders and medical resources is limited.”

Is 2025 the Year To Go, Finally?

With solar activity rising as we approach the solar maximum in 2025, aurora displays are expected to become more frequent and intense, making this the perfect year to finally check the northern lights off your bucket list.

Whether watching green curtains of light dance over Norway’s fjords or braving the icy wilds of northern Canada, the aurora offers more than just visual beauty. This humbling, cosmic experience reminds us of our place in the universe.

And with proper preparation, modern technology and trusted emergency backup, you can experience it safely and wonderfully.

The Global Rescue Connection

Travel risk and emergency readiness should be part of your plan for aurora chasers. Global Rescue provides medical evacuation, field rescue and 24/7 medical and security advisory services worldwide, ensuring you’re protected, even when local resources are scarce.

In a medical emergency, a vehicle crash on icy roads or even a lost hiker situation, Global Rescue can coordinate a rescue operation and arrange evacuation to a hospital of your choice. With two-way communication, travel tracking and access to local intelligence, Global Rescue empowers travelers to explore remote corners of the world safely.