When and where can you see the northern lights in Russia?

Our planet is a unique organism that can endlessly surprise people with its beauty and unusual phenomena. What is the mystical fire of heaven! This was the name for the northern lights by the indigenous inhabitants of Chukotka, who treated this phenomenon with great trepidation and respect. Those who are fortunate to see this heavenly carnival with their own eyes have never remained the same. The northern lights forever enchant human souls with their beauty. But do not think that in order to enjoy this amazing spectacle, you need to go to foreign destinations. Each person, having shown some patience, can see the northern lights in Russia.

What in fact is the heavenly glow?

Before dealing with the question of where you can see the northern lights in Russia, let's find out the nature of this mysterious phenomenon. In ancient times, an unusual luminescence was attributed to a magical origin. Some people thought that these were the lights of a divine palace. Others treated him with caution and hid children during this phenomenon, believing that the gods were angry with the inhabitants of the Earth and could punish the death of their family members. In any case, the northern lights belonged to mystical riddles, the mystery of which should not be considered by the uninitiated.

In fact, a natural phenomenon can be given a very simple definition. Scientists have proved that the celestial glow occurs due to the reaction of solar wind particles that have reached the upper layers of the atmosphere of our planet, with nitrogen and oxygen. The interaction of these particles causes a glow of extraordinary beauty.

Who first began to study the phenomenon of the Northern Lights

Scientists around the world have tried to solve the mystery of the amazing glow, but the northern lights in Russia were actively studied only by Mikhail Lomonosov. He conducted a lot of experiments and proved that the luminescence is of an electrical nature. His followers continued the work of the teacher, step by step revealing the essence of the unusual phenomenon.

In the end, it was proved that behind the powerful flashes on the Sun always follows the northern lights. Moreover, the brightness and duration of the luminescence depend on the power of the solar emission.

Where is the aurora borealis?

The emission of charged particles by the Sun occurs constantly, but in most cases this solar wind is insignificant and does not cause a glow in the upper layers of the atmosphere. But a particularly powerful charge is necessarily attracted by the magnetic pole of the Earth. Therefore, the northern lights can be seen only in the region of the magnetic poles of our planet. Since there are two of them, the radiance is also northern and southern. At the South Pole, where there are practically no human settlements, it is very difficult to see the heavenly carnival. But the North Pole is quite hospitable, and people can enjoy an amazing natural phenomenon if they try to get there at the right time. However, in order to see the magical heavenly lights, it is not necessary to gather in a long journey. Northern lights in the cities of Russia can also be observed, the list of such places on the territory of our country is quite extensive.

Such different aurora borealis

Scientists studying the northern lights, identified its two types. The pale glow is diffuse. It is usually barely discernible even in a dark night and does not differ in color. Point aurora is the complete opposite of the previous species. It emits a surprisingly bright glow, which is very clearly visible at night. Some eyewitnesses assert that under such light it is possible, without straining eyesight, to read the printed text.

Is it easy to see the northern lights?

If you are sure that it is very easy to catch heavenly lights in the camera lens, and you are only concerned with the question of where you can see the northern lights in Russia, then you are forced to upset you. Do not rush to collect bags and buy tickets - the northern lights can not be seen very easily. Even powerful emissions of solar particles do not guarantee color divorces in the sky. Specialists consider the possibility of capturing the Northern Lights with rare luck, as many factors must coincide for this. The absence of one of them will already change the situation, and magic lights will not appear in the sky. A trip to the end of the earth will go to waste.

The best time to hunt for heavenly light

The northern lights, however surprising this may sound, is a seasonal phenomenon. Most often it can be observed in the winter months. Those who want to know when one can see the northern lights in Russia can start planning their holidays from November to February. This period is considered the most successful for observing a rare natural phenomenon. In addition, the northern nights in these months last up to twenty hours, which is very convenient for fixing the natural phenomenon.

Brilliantly, the multicolored glow manifests itself until three in the morning. In the following hours it becomes paler and gradually disappears.

How to see the northern lights?

Most hunters for the heavenly glow are concerned with the question of where you can see the northern lights in Russia. But it is equally important to learn how and when to observe the magical natural phenomenon. Experts know that before buying tickets to the northern edge, you need to closely monitor solar flares. A powerful ejection on the Sun is a guarantee of the presence of the Northern Lights. Around the world, several observatories track the activity of our luminaries, their data is available to every Internet user. If you notice a lot of activity of the Sun, then you can safely choose the northern city and buy tickets. In stock, you will have about five days - this time is necessary for the solar wind to reach our planet.

When choosing a place where you plan to see the northern lights, observe a few simple rules:

• It is necessary to leave for the most remote northern cities;
• Clear weather will be ideal for observing the natural phenomenon, clouds will immediately hide all the beauty;
• The point from which you will see the heavenly glow, there must be a small village, otherwise the light from the city will block the northern lights.

Experienced travelers have their own list of cities around the world, which are ideal for shooting the northern lights.

What is useful in the way?

The North does not forgive mistakes and stupidities. Both polar explorers and residents of the Far North know this . So prepare well for hunting for the northern lights, otherwise you'll be wasting your money for a trip. First of all take care of the car. It can be rented in the city where you are going. The machine will help you out in many cases:

• You will always be mobile and will be able to choose the best camera angle for shooting;
• Inside the car you can always keep warm;
• Special equipment in the car will be intact and safe, without being exposed to low temperatures.

The main thing - make sure that the tank of the car was full, and in the trunk there was a pair of spare cans with gasoline.

Pay special attention to clothes-it should be warm and comfortable. And the shoes should be chosen especially carefully, during the shooting you have to spend several hours on the snow. Please note that the batteries in the frost very quickly lose their charge. Therefore, take with you a few spare units for the equipment.

It is not superfluous to take along a thermos with tea and a lot of sandwiches. After all, hunting for the northern lights can drag on for the whole night, and hunger will force you to return to the city and lose valuable time.

The Northern Lights in Russia: where you can see?

Russia is a huge country. Its population can observe a beautiful celestial glow in many of the lost corners of the Russian remote places. Where in Russia is the northern lights the brightest? Scientists believe that in Chukotka and in Karelia. Residents of these territories more often enjoy a beautiful spectacle in the winter months. But do not rush to go to these parts. In winter it is very difficult to get here, many settlements do not even have roads. And severe frosts almost completely exclude the possibility of a trip to observe the northern lights. Therefore, it is worthwhile to look for other places where an amazing natural phenomenon is also often found.

First of all, it is worth to go to those cities and regions of the country where the northern lights are visible. In Russia, these territories include the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions. It is quite easy to get here from the central part of Russia, and frosts will not prevent you from spending nights on the street, watching the glow of the sky.

Where you can see the northern lights in Russia: a list of cities

If you go in pursuit of the northern lights from Moscow, then pay attention to the cities of the Murmansk region. Choose small settlements with good access roads. The cities are best suited:

• Polar.
• Vidyaevo.
• Pechenega.

There are all the necessary infrastructure facilities, such as hotels and cafes. That is, travelers will be comfortable enough and convenient in these towns.

If you are looking for a real extreme, then we advise you to go to the Khibiny Mountains. They are located just south of Murmansk and open just an amazing view of the night sky. There is no need to worry about the light pollution, because the nearest town is several thousand kilometers away. The only downside in the Khibiny is the lack of a large selection of hotels. In winter, only a few recreation centers remain open.

In the Republic of Komi, the northern lights are visible from almost any settlement. Local residents can observe even such a rare phenomenon as the August aurora borealis. But it is best to go to Vorkuta - there is the smallest light pollution and quite decent infrastructure.

A trip to Taimyr is a real adventure. Hunters behind the northern lights usually go to the village of Khatanga. It is considered to be the most northern settlement on the territory of Russia. Here you can see the most beautiful and lasting celestial glow in the world. Even Norway and Iceland can not boast such a colorful northern lights, which are usually observed by the local residents of Khatanga.

The Northern Lights is an amazing phenomenon. Even those who have watched it more than once can not refuse the opportunity to once again enjoy this spectacle. No camera or video camera can convey the essence of this magic light. No wonder the northern peoples gave this natural phenomenon poetic names, the most beautiful of them is "the light that is heard."