The Northern Lights are not only visible in the Nordic countries. To observe them, you need a sky free of any light pollution. Discover the surprising destinations where you can observe these luminous phenomena.
In the collective imagination, the Northern Lights only rhyme with the Nordic countries. It's true that this light show is commonly observed in pole-bound destinations such as Greenland, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden. However, these countries are not the only ones that offer incredible views of this stardust. Thanks to the Sun's 11-year cycle of activity, the Northern Lights will be more numerous in 2024 and will be particularly visible in places further from the poles. What are these “fake” travel destinations where we can witness this natural spectacle?
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United States, Canada, England… These unlikely countries where you can see the Northern Lights
If you are planning a trip to the American states this year, Idaho, Minnesota, Michigan and Montana are among the surprising destinations where it is not impossible to see the Northern Lights this year.
Churchill, Yellowknife and Yukon, three corners of Canada, also seem to be popular with tourists. Finally, the county of Northumberland in the north of England is also one of the surprising destinations where you can observe these light phenomena in 2024.
Of course, certain criteria must be met, such as a sky without any light pollution and a moon that is not too bright. Of course, the period in which the northern lights appear is also important: it begins between the end of August or September and ends in March or April.
Prediction locations and applications for observing the Northern Lights
Several sites and apps can provide you with important information about your Northern Lights search. The official website of the U.S. government's Space Weather Prediction Center regularly updates the list of places where you can expect to see the most significant aurora borealis, as well as detailed guidance on times and location positioning.
The My Aurora Forecast and Northern Light Aurora Forecast applications are also particularly popular among professionals and aspiring observers for knowing when and where these light phenomena can be observed. Finally, the Kp index – visible via the American Oceanic and Atmospheric Observation Agency (NOAA) – is more commonly used by experts and aims to determine the likelihood of seeing polar auroras by measuring disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field.
Marjorie RAYNAUD for TF1 INFO