Ask any avid traveller and they’d tell you how watching the Northern Lights is one bucket list experience they are saving up for. Aurora Borealis, a mesmerising natural phenomenon that paints the night sky with vibrant hues of green, purple, and pink, has long been the epitome of beauty that nature casts upon its dark canvas. Even though there are myriad experiences that nature offers to travellers, what is it about northern lights that puts it so high up our lists? Why are we so obsessed with this spectacle? The Science Behind The Magic The Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, releasing energy that lights up the sky.
This scientific explanation, however, does little to diminish their mystery. Modern technology, like solar activity trackers and apps predicting aurora intensity, has made it easier to chase the lights. Yet, no two auroras are the same, which is the really interesting part! Legends About Northern LightsMaybe our chase for this spectacle stems from a curiosity that we’ve inherited from our predecessors.
For example, the Vikings saw the Northern Lights as a divine sign from Odin, the Allfather. They believed these lights were signalling the arrival of the Valkyries, powerful female warriors who selected fallen heroes to join Odin in Valhalla, preparing for the final battle of Ragnarök. The Northern Lights were also often associated with the Bifrost Bridge, a magical pathway to the gods' realm for the vi.