Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Alerts! Questions? Discussions... => Topic started by: Sallyvardon on Jan 24, 2006, 16:39:52

Title: Viewing the Northern lights!
Post by: Sallyvardon on Jan 24, 2006, 16:39:52
Can anyone advise me?
I am considering a trip for early 2007 to view the Aurora.
I had thought of Iceland, but Finland also looks good and has a better chance of seeing them.
Are there any companies that run specialised tours for this?
I would appreciate any help.
Thanks :D
Title: Viewing the Northern lights!
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Jan 24, 2006, 18:17:26
Hi Sally,

Appart from a really nasty trip you can take by road have you considered Norwegian Coastal Voyages, they do a cruise which takes you right up north and is pipular with the Northern Light hunters (not Blackpool).

We're going to Finnland in a few weeks mitt camera in hand so hopefully we can see them as well.

Chris
Title: Viewing the Northern lights!
Post by: Sallyvardon on Jan 24, 2006, 18:43:12
Thanks for the tip but cruising is not my thing. Hope you get some good pics.
Title: Aurora Borealis
Post by: Carole on Mar 16, 2006, 14:15:59
Did you manage to find a trip?
There are lots on the web if you do a search:

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18409-1856757,00.html
http://www.arctic-experience.co.uk/northernlights/
http://www.wildlifehebrides.com/safari/chronicles/
http://www.wildlifewilderness.com/country.asp?cat=13

I would like to do a similar trip, and need some-one to go with if you have space.

Carole Pope
Title: Viewing the Northern lights!
Post by: Mike on Mar 16, 2006, 14:31:55
I have been to Iceland and can highly recommend it as a holiday destination. I am definately going back there one day.

However, the whole time we were there we didn't see any aurora once.
Title: Viewing the Northern lights!
Post by: Rick on Mar 16, 2006, 14:48:20
Generally, heading west is a good idea, as the auroral ring reaches to lower lattitudes over North America than it does here. In Canada you won't have to go as far north to see aurora, but Iceland and northern Norway should be far enough north to give you a good chance of seeing aurora too.
Title: Viewing the Northern lights!
Post by: Sallyvardon on Mar 17, 2006, 19:10:37
Thanks for all the tips.
I have booked a trip with the family to Iceland with Arctic Experience and have booked a northern light safari jeep excursion, so hopefully the sun will have a huge coronal mass ejection about the middle of Feb and we will be able to see something spectacular.
However if it doesn't happen in Feb, we are skiing in Canada in April so will maybe get another chance then. :D  :wink:
Title: Viewing the Northern lights!
Post by: Mike on Mar 17, 2006, 23:08:14
Sally,

Good choice :) Make sure you visit the Blue Lagoon, Geyser and the Gulfoss Falls. The food in the Hard Rock Cafe is also very good, especially the fish.