When is the best time, and where is the best place, to have the best chance of seeing the aurora borealis?

Question

I'm based in the uk, and am not really prepared to go into any extreme wilderness areas without guidance. Thanks.

Answer 1

Extreme place to go (I know that you're not keen):
Fairbanks in Alaska from November through to March
The Yukon in Canda same time period

Nearer home
Norway, Sweden in Finland December through to February
Far North Scotland January and February

Far far away; Tasmania June - September
Stewart Island, New Zealand June - September
Patagonia - June - September

Keep far, far away from large cities and try and plan around a stable weather system. Keeping away from the coast can also be a good idea.

Then of course there which year; the Aurora Borealis, Aurora Australia works on an 11 year cycle. It's picking up - but the next big peak is 2012/13

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/weather/aurora/

This is a good site to forewarn you of lights - gives you a few hours heads up:

http://www.dcs.lancs.ac.uk/iono/aurorawatch/

Answer 2

The best time to watch is in spring and fall, especially February, March, September, and October. One of the best times to look for the Northern Lights will be when it is dark because of a new moon in Alaska In Juneau and around West Canada and Northeast Canada

Answer 3

Iceland at Christmas.
It looks fabulous from some of the Icelandic brochures...
Not a cheap break though, one of those once in a lifetime things!
Further north and you don't get much daylight.

Answer 4

There isnt a cheap way to do this. I saw this on a South American cruise. It was so vivid it looked like planes were crashing....

Answer 5

Your question confused me for a min I tend to call it the Northern lights.

You can see it from Scotland.

I have posted 3 links which tell you where you can see them.

Hope this helps. :-)

Answer 6

Tromso late summer

Answer 7

Iceland at winter!

Answer 8

norway in october

Answer 9

i don't know