A guide to the northern lights in Iceland
A guide to the northern lights in Iceland
The northern light is one of the great natural hikers in the world. Many flock to Iceland to see the northern light because it is simply one of the best places to see the phenomenon.
What is the Aurora borealis?
The Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis is a spectacular show with natural light. The reason for this is sun particles that collide with gases when entering our atmosphere. Seeing Northern Lights in Iceland is a great option because this phenomenon only occurs near the magnetic poles.
What is the best time to see the northern lights?
Due to the high latitude of Iceland, the seasons not only determine the weather, but also the amount of daylight. Many choose to visit Iceland in the colder and darker months to maximize their chances of seeing the northern light.
The season is from late August to mid -April. From October to February, however, due to the early sunset, you have the greatest chances to see them. You need complete darkness for the best results.
Many other factors, including the northern blanket and light pollution, influence their chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. A good resource to look for a prediction is the Aurora Forecast website.
Where and how to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
So you made it to Reykjavik? I remember how excited I was when I checked in my hostel. Fortunately, if you are in the right season, you may be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights from the city!
Best place to see the northern lights near Reykjavik
If the conditions are right, you may be lucky enough to see the northern light without being too far from the capital. For the best Aurora, it is important to have as little light pollution as possible. A great place that is not too far from the city is a hill next to the University of Reykjavik.
Follow the map below to get to the university. You will see a path that leads the forested hills, where you can find some remote places to watch the northern lights. We were lucky enough to experience a fantastic Aurora spectacle about Reykjavik on our first night in Iceland.
On the way
It is true that the best northern lights in Iceland are somewhat away from the leaked paths. If you go away from the city and in the vast landscapes, the best visual conditions are available. There are several tour operators who work in Reykjavik. Some hostels even organize excursions.
If you say that, it is by far the best way to see the northern light, to have your own car. Many choose to travel Iceland along the famous ring road. If you choose this option and I can only highly recommend it, you will be rewarded with some amazing Auroras.
See my report here about how I drove the ring road for less than $ 50 a day.
Photography tips for capturing the northern light
The best way to look for activities is to use your camera! The sensor of your camera, which is more sensitive to light than the human eye, often grasps aurora activity before you.
A tripod is a must
A tripod, gorilla pod or a provisional stabilization device is crucial for the inclusion of the northern light. Since you take pictures of the night sky, a long shutter speed is important and therefore the need to keep the camera calm. There is nothing worse than capturing epic Aurora rays, but everything else is out of focus.
Use a large aperture
If you expand your aperture to the lowest size that allows your lens, you will receive sharp images without you having to increase the ISO value. It is important to take the ambient light into account, but in general a closure of 30 seconds is sufficient, an aperture of 2.8 or 4 and 800 ISO.
Remember to enjoy the moment
There is a reason why they flew to the Arctic Circle and climbed a mountain in the middle of the night. Seeing the northern light with your own eyes is one of the most amazing experiences that you can have. Making an epic recording is great, but don't forget to enjoy the moment.
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