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59 Pictures of the Northern Lights and Aurora Australis ...

By Neecey

One of the most common items on countless bucket lists is the Northern Lights. These explosions of color in the sky are limited to certain areas of the world in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere (where they are naturally called the Southern Lights) and occur when highly charged electrons from solar winds interact with elements in the atmosphere. They create dizzying patterns in rainbows of color and the name Northern Lights seems so insignificant for the beautiful wonder they are.

1. Alaska

Alaska Via The Northern Lights, Alaska - ...

Alaska is one of the first places that comes to mind when thinking of the Northern Lights.

2. Green Waves

Green Waves Via Aurora #28

The shapes created by the light depend on the distribution of the charged particles in the atmosphere and wind direction.

3. Iceland

Iceland Via One off the bucket list

Iceland is another of the countries lucky enough to experience the spectacle of the Northern Lights.

4. Finland

Finland Via davidclapp.co.uk

An incredible green sweep over the snowy pine forest.

5. Rainbow of the Night Sky

Rainbow of the Night Sky Via PHOTOS: 10 Best Places To ...

The color of the aurora borealis is totally dependent on which mineral particles are in the atmosphere.

6. Shaft

Shaft Via Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis

Much like cloud formations, you can find all sorts of
shapes in the light show.

7. Proof That Thor Exists

Proof That Thor Exists Via Mixed Magnificent Photography | From ...

And if you have an active imagination you can see Asgard!

8. Northern Lights

Northern Lights Via From moon 2 moon

When you look at the tiny dots that are the town, you can understand the scale of the spread of the lights.

9. Minot, North Dakota

Minot, North Dakota Via fanpop.com

The caption that came with this photo claims that North Dakota is the only US state other than Alaska that experiences the Northern Lights. I wonder if that's true.

10. The Land of Fire and Ice

The Land of Fire and Ice Via Northern lights Iceland

11. Bø in Vesterålen, Norway

Bø in Vesterålen, Norway Via New Aurora Pictures: Solar Storms ...

Just love the acid green.

12. Northern Norway

Northern Norway Via Trichardsen

It's a magical combination when the sky is clear and you get to see the stars too.

13. Blue on Black

Blue on Black Via Bits, Pieces & Slices of ...

So gloomy yet so stunningly beautiful

14. Stargazing Heaven

Stargazing Heaven Via Northern Lights and the Universe

I could spend hours looking at this.

15. Grotfjord, Tromso, Norway

Grotfjord, Tromso, Norway Via Pictures of the day: 28 ...

Some people see an eagle, some a Phoenix. Me? I see a Native Indian chief's headdress.

16. Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Via North Star, Northern lights

Well I never knew that. Northern Lights in Northern Ireland. Wow. So close to home.

17. Alaska

Alaska Via twitter.com

Earth's very own laser light show.

18. Ersfjord, Norway

Ersfjord, Norway Via 7 Simply Amazing Places - ...

One of my favorite pictures of the Northern Lights.

19. Lappish Winter

Lappish Winter Via Northern lights in Lappish winter

A better reason to visit Lapland than Santa Claus.

20. October Aurora

October Aurora Via October Aurora

Steve McDougall took this amazing shot of the aurora borealis in Northern Manitoba, Canada.

21. Nature's Kali

Nature's Kali Via The Northern Lights: Trip of ...

Kali is the word we Brits use for sherbet powder.

22. Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi, Finland Via Winter wonderland

Skies are incredible when there is no light pollution to spoil it. Even the palest aurora shows up beautifully.

23. Portage Lake & Chugach Mountains, Alaska

Portage Lake & Chugach Mountains, Alaska Via fineartamerica.com

I love it when the aurora light is thickest when close to the Earth's surface.

24. Mo I Rana, Nordland County, Norway

Mo I Rana, Nordland County, Norway Via Spectacular displays of the northern ...

Mother Nature always did look good in green and red.

25. The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights Via flickr.com

To me, this looks like a curtain falling to cover the mountain tops.

26. Green Bank

Green Bank Via Northern Lights

Imagine the view the people who live on the town on the coast had of this.

27. Fire in the Sky

Fire in the Sky Via Fotos Bellas

A surreal combination of sunset and the Northern Lights.

28. Neon Lights

Neon Lights Via travel-up-hotels.com

I truly hope that depth of color is real but after seeing many thousands of pictures of the Northern Lights I doubt it. It might be photo shopped but still it's stunning.

29. The Hand of God

The Hand of God Via The light and the lighthouse

Can you see it?

30. Wonders of the Norwegian Sky

Wonders of the Norwegian Sky Via flickr.com

The wonders of our world! The sky is a wash of red and green yet the snow is glistening gold.

31. Norilsk, Russia

Norilsk, Russia Via New Aurora Pictures: Solar Storms ...

I just love to find pictures in the aurora. I can see Queen Victoria. She's bending slightly forward and she's wearing that lace head covering so prevalent in many of her pictures. Can you see the same?

32. Dverghamrar, Iceland

Dverghamrar, Iceland Via Dverghamrar Aurorae

One of the rare daytime pictures of the Aurora Borealis,

33. Finland

Finland Via Enter Password

I do love the red auroras.

34. Høgtuva Mountain, Norway

Høgtuva Mountain, Norway Via Astronomy Photographer of the Year ...

But I love the green and red ones too.

35. The Aurora Borealis as Seen from the International Space Station

The Aurora Borealis as Seen from the International Space Station Via mihai's tumblr • The most ...

O M G - imagine seeing this.

36. Angel of Norway

Angel of Norway Via Utbrudd

Sorry, I'm off on my travels into guess the shape of the aurora again. I'm seeing an angel, side on.

37. Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks, Alaska Via Aurora borealis and birch trees ...

The birch trees look fabulous with an aurora as their crown.

38. Alaskan Explosion

Alaskan Explosion Via Aurora Borealis

Do you remember the ink on chromatography paper in science lessons at school?

39. The Milky Way and the Aurora Borealis

The Milky Way and the Aurora Borealis Via Most Beautiful Destination Around The ...

Is it fair that Iceland gets so many incredible views?

40. Kirkjufell, Iceland

Kirkjufell, Iceland Via Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell means "church mountain" and it is truly blessed.

41. Swedish Lapland

Swedish Lapland Via antonyspencer

Amazeballs!

42. Stunning Aurora Borealis Photo

Stunning Aurora Borealis Photo Via 500px.com

Tommy Eliasson has captured a shot where the lower reaches of the aurora look like sun rays.

43. Aurora Borealis and the Milky Way, Iceland

Aurora Borealis and the Milky Way, Iceland Via Aurora Borealis & Milkyway

I'll know I've lived a life when I see this in person.

44. Yukon, Canada

Yukon, Canada Via BigSky

It's filling the sky.

45. Lights of Our Universe

Lights of Our Universe Via twitter.com

Multicolored auroras are so breathtaking.

46. Alaska

Alaska Via 30 Brilliant Aurora Photography For ...

The formation here is almost like geometric planes of light.

47. Aurora Australis, Antarctica

Aurora Australis, Antarctica Via Aurora Australis - Antarctica

I really hope that's a falling star in the top right because that would make this picture even more magical.

48. Aurora Australis and the Milky Way over Queenstown, New Zealand

Aurora Australis and the Milky Way over Queenstown, New Zealand Via All sizes | Our Galaxy ...

In my humble opinion, New Zealand is the most incredibly beautiful country on Earth. This underlines it.

49. Southern Lights, Tasmania, Australia

Southern Lights, Tasmania, Australia Via Aurora Austrlis

What a gloriously solid glow close to the Earth that dissipates as it climbs higher so we can see the majesty of the sky filled with stars.

50. Aurora Australis - Bridies, Dunedin, New Zealand

Aurora Australis - Bridies, Dunedin, New Zealand Via spaceweather.com

A vision in gold, pink and purple.

51. Aurora Australis - South Arm, Tasmania, Australia

Aurora Australis - South Arm, Tasmania, Australia Via spaceweather.com

There's generally a much more golden glow to the Aurora Australis than its northern cousin experiences.

52. Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife, Canada Via Great ball of fire! Spectacular ...

This is one of the incredible explosions of color that followed the biggest bursts of solar radiation for five years. The solar storm occurred in March 2012.

53. Aurora Australis down under

Aurora Australis down under Via Australia/New Zealand

The more I see pictures of the Southern lights, the higher seeing it in person creeps up my bucket list.

54. The Southern Lights

The Southern Lights Via The Southern Lights are another ...

And that's exactly why.

55. Governors Bay, Christchurch, New Zealand

Governors Bay, Christchurch, New Zealand Via Aurora over Governors Bay

Incredible - even over one of the country's biggest cities.

56. The Comet in Queenstown on the Night of the Aurora Australis, N.Z

The Comet in Queenstown on the Night of the Aurora Australis, N.Z Via The Comet in Queenstown

A long triangle of gorgeousness splits the ceiling of the sky.

57. Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania, Australia Via 500px.com

The green looks radioactive.

58. Aurora Australis Rocket

Aurora Australis Rocket Via physics.usyd.edu.au

Sending rockets laden with scientific instruments helps us
understand more about them.

59. Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch, New Zealand Via Auroras light up South Island ...

Even purple drapes can't hide the stars.

Are you all tuckered out after all those incredible pictures of the Northern and Southern Lights?

Have you seen them in person? Where was it?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Northern Lights and Aurora Australis?
They are natural light displays in the Earth's sky, mainly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
The best time is during winter months, from September to March, when the nights are longest and darkest.
Where can I travel to see the Northern Lights?
Popular destinations include Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and Alaska for Northern Lights.
Can women travel alone to see the Northern Lights safely?
Yes, many women travel solo safely by choosing well-reviewed tours and accommodations.
What should I pack for a Northern Lights trip?
Warm layers, insulated boots, a good camera, and a tripod for night photography are essentials.
How can I increase my chances of seeing the Aurora Australis?
Visit southern regions like Tasmania or New Zealand during their winter months with clear, dark skies.
Are guided tours worth it for Aurora viewing?
Absolutely, guides know the best spots and times, improving your chances of an unforgettable experience.
What camera settings are best for capturing the Northern Lights?
Use a high ISO, wide aperture, and long exposure to capture the vibrant colors effectively.
Is it possible to see the Northern Lights from a city?
It's rare due to light pollution, so traveling to remote, dark areas greatly improves visibility.
Can the Northern Lights affect my health or safety?
No, they are a natural light phenomenon and pose no health risks or dangers.
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