Has anyone ever seen the Northern Lights? (Aurora Borealis)?

Question

And if so, is it worth paying a lot of money to possibly see them on a Norwegian cruise? It's something I've always wanted to see.

Answer 1

I`ve seen them many, many times whilst serving onboard ship.
They are simply magnificent, especially at sea where there is no light pollution.

For those who have never had the chance...look here

http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=images&imgsz=all&imgc=&vf=all&va=northern+lights&fr=ybr_bt&ei=UTF-8

Click on the picture to see full size image :-)

Answer 2

As others have said, you don't need to go on cruises to see them, just come up to the north of Scotland :-)

You will have more chance of a good view if you go a bit further north though, and somewhere about the latitude of Iceland or southern Norway is about the best place to go.

However they're not visible all the time, and depend on what's happening on the Sun. Currently it's just about the minimum point in the 11 year cycle of solar activity, so you'd be better planning your trip for at least 4 or 5 years from now.

The aurorae are also more active around the times of the equinox, which is late March and late September, so you can plan that in as well.

Of course, like the weather, they're hard (or just about impossible) to predict, so there's no guarantees that you'll see any. It can be months or years between displays, then you get several spectacular nights in a row.

If you can go at short notice, then check NASA's space weather site - http://www.spaceweather.com - which will tell you if there are any big, active sunspots coming round which might cause some aurorae.

Good luck :-)

Answer 3

Just once 8 years ago,it was just about the most magnificent sight I have ever seen, and Yes if I could afford it I would certainly go again and again
I didnt go on an expensive cruise, just drove there on a motoring holiday

Answer 4

I've seen em several times. I live in Aberdeen so their not too rare and occurance, hence the song "The Northern Lights of Auld Aberdeen". They are a spectacular sight.

Answer 5

Just come to Canada I live in Calgary and have seen them hundreds of times. You just drive out of the city on a clear night. They are spectacular some nights and lackluster others.

Answer 6

It's so dependant on the weather that you're not guarenteed to see anything even if you go far north. I spent 2 weeks very far north in Canada and we never saw the lights, but one summer evening in southern Ontario (furtherest you can be in Canada) and there they were!

Answer 7

Oh yes absoultely, I would go if I had the money, as I would love to go myself to see one of the wonders of the world, it is a must, I would highly recommend you go without a doubt, and take as many photo's as you can, film iton your camcorder, and treasure the memory for many years to come!
I hope this helps you out?

Answer 8

Yes. I lived in northern Minnesota and on very cold, clear nights the whole sky would be alight with them.

Answer 9

i seen them when i was in missasaga on a boat trip a few years ago it was fantastic the colours were going across the sky and i really enjoyed it hope you can get to see them too

Answer 10

I used to be able to stand out in my backyard in canada and see them late in summer. you don't need to pay for an expensive cruise for it, just head north.